Donald Trump has once again left the public scratching their heads after making two bizarre and seemingly self-congratulatory claims in less than 24 hours.
In one instance, Trump appeared to suggest he played a role in the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, following the death of Pope Francis last month. Responding to the news that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had been named the first American pope in history, Trump posted:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.
I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
The message sparked confusion and amusement online, with many questioning Trump’s implication that he had something to do with the appointment—and referring to Pope Leo XIV by a name he has not officially taken.
Pope Leo XIV has been elected as Pope Francis’ successor (Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
In a follow-up post shared to Truth Social yesterday (May 12), Trump implied that it was his own success with Catholic American voters in the presidential election that may have helped Pope Leo get his new role.
“So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz [correctly spelt Raddatz] on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump,” he penned in reference to Raddatz’s recent interview with Cardinal Blasé Cupich on This Week.
“It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind,” Trump continued. “Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot!
Donald Trump claims that he created the word ‘equalize’ (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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In other eyebrow-raising comments made yesterday, President Trump appeared to claim credit for inventing the word equalize — a term that has existed for centuries.
While signing an executive order aimed at lowering drug prices, Trump told reporters during a White House press conference:
“The rest of the world is going to have to pay a bit more, and America’s going to pay a lot less. Again, because it is a smaller population than when you think of the whole world.”
He continued: “So basically what we are doing is equalizing. It’s a new word that I came up with, which I think is probably the best word. We’re gonna equalize. We’re all gonna pay the same. We’re gonna pay what Europe’s gonna pay.”
Despite the President’s claim, equalize dates back to at least 1599, according to Webster’s Dictionary.
The internet quickly lit up with confusion and mockery. One person tweeted:
“There was a TV show in the ’80s called The Equalizer. Did he invent the word in 1983 and is just now remembering?”
Another quipped:
“If he came up with it, how does everyone already know what it means?”
And a third sarcastically added:
“Horses**t — a word I just made up. Never used before. You’re welcome!”
