MAGA Meltdown: A "Woke" Pope Rattles the Trump Faithful

The selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV, has ignited a firestorm of outrage within the right-wing echo chamber, particularly among staunch supporters of Donald Trump. Accusations of "wokeness" and "Marxism" have been hurled at the American-born pontiff, showcasing a deep ideological rift between the MAGA movement and the perceived values of the Catholic Church under its new leadership.

Leading the charge of discontent is conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a figure known for her close ties to Trump. Loomer wasted no time in branding Pope Leo XIV as a "WOKE MARXIST POPE," setting the tone for much of the online backlash. Her sentiment was echoed by Ryan Selkis, a former crypto CEO and ardent Trump supporter, who circulated past social media posts attributed to the new pope. These posts, expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement and criticizing Trump’s family separation policy at the border, were cited as evidence of the pope’s supposed leftist leanings.

Selkis, seemingly aghast at the pope’s empathy, wrote: "A new woke pope. BLM. Kids in cages. Suicidal empathy. American who mostly posts en espanol." This statement reveals a core tension within the MAGA worldview, where compassion and concern for marginalized groups are often viewed with suspicion, if not outright hostility. The author of the original article quips, "I’m not familiar with the ’empathy is bad’ portion of the Bible," underscoring the perceived disconnect between traditional Christian values and the Trumpian ideology.

The primary source of MAGA’s ire appears to stem from Pope Leo XIV’s adherence to principles often associated with Jesus’ teachings: love for others, advocacy for peace, and welcoming of immigrants. The fact that these values are now considered "woke" and deemed intolerable by the "Church of Trump" speaks volumes about the movement’s deviation from traditional conservatism.

The article’s author suggests that the MAGA crowd’s frustration may also be fueled by the broader trend of leaders being chosen who oppose Trump’s agenda. Recent electoral defeats for conservatives in Canada and Australia, attributed in part to widespread disapproval of Trump, highlight a growing global rejection of his brand of politics. The selection of a U.S. pope who seems to stand in opposition to many of Trump’s policies only exacerbates this sense of isolation.

Pope Leo XIV’s views on climate change as an urgent crisis, his ties to Chicago (a city Trump has repeatedly disparaged as a liberal sanctuary), and his advocacy for immigrants further solidify his image as an anti-Trump figure within the MAGAverse.

Adding insult to injury, then-Cardinal Prevost shared a column on social media critical of JD Vance, a prominent conservative figure and recent convert to Catholicism. The headline of the column, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesnt ask us to rank our love for others," delivers a stinging rebuke to Vance’s political philosophy. This incident marks the second time Vance has faced criticism from a pope, a particularly embarrassing situation for a relatively new member of the Catholic faith.

The author sarcastically suggests that the cardinals should have chosen a "MAGA pope" and implemented "prayer tariffs" to better align with the movement’s values. The article also references a 2015 Washington Post opinion piece by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, which Pope Leo XIV shared, criticizing Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. This past action further cements the new pope’s image as an opponent of Trump’s policies.

Loomer’s summation of Pope Leo XIV as "anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis" reflects the hyperbolic and often inaccurate rhetoric employed by the MAGA movement. The author counters this by humorously suggesting that these individuals need a Bible or a hobby, or perhaps both.

The article draws a parallel between the current outrage and the backlash against an Episcopal bishop who, during Trump’s inauguration, dared to advocate for compassion and mercy towards immigrants and marginalized workers. The bishop’s simple plea for empathy was met with fierce condemnation from Trump and his supporters, setting the stage for the current uproar over Pope Leo XIV’s seemingly similar sentiments.

Further fueling the fire, Sean Feucht, a pro-Trump Christian nationalist singer and pastor, accused the Catholic Church of intentionally selecting a "globalist and woke Pope from the West" to criticize leaders of the "Free World." Mike Cernovich, another right-wing conspiracy theorist, declared the new pope an "open borders globalist" who would soon advocate for abortion.

The author concludes that the MAGA movement’s reaction is a prime example of their constant victimhood mentality. The Catholic Church has simply chosen a pope from Chicago who seems to embody the core values of Catholicism, and this is perceived as a threat to Trump, his policies, and his loyal followers. The author invites readers to draw their own conclusions from this situation, regardless of their faith. The article ends with a sign-off to the author’s social media.