Shameless Popery

#263 Trump’s Blasphemous Meme Points To A Bigger Problem… - Joe Heschmeyer

7 snips
Apr 15, 2026
A look at a vulgar political meme that sparks a wider spiritual concern. Discussion of pride as a driving force behind self-centered public behavior. Reflections using C.S. Lewis, Aquinas, and recent events to show how leaders and believers can fall into rivalry with God. A call to humility and self-examination for everyone.
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ANECDOTE

Trump's Easter Tweets And The Jesus Image

  • Joe Heschmeyer recounts President Trump's Easter tweet threatening Iran and signing off with a mocking 'praise be to Allah'.
  • He also describes Trump's later tweet of himself as Jesus and the awkward explanation that it was him 'as a doctor' tied to Red Cross support.
INSIGHT

Pride Frames Political Provocations

  • Pride explains seemingly self-centered, provocative political behavior like mocking opponents and making everything about oneself.
  • Joe points to Trump's pattern of personalizing events (mocking Rob Reiner after his son's crime) as evidence of pride-driven actions.
INSIGHT

Lewis On Pride As Built In Competition

  • C.S. Lewis's idea: pride is inherently competitive, unlike other vices whose conflicts are incidental.
  • Lewis explains pride requires being superior to others, so it fuels endless rivalry and escalation in leaders and nations.
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