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After Returning From Pope’s Funeral, Trump Makes Bizarre Joke About Who Should Be Next In Line

Is nothing sacred anymore?

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588 points

There’s something about Donald Trump and jokes that never quite feel like just jokes. This week, only 100 days into his second term as president, Trump made another one of those strange comments that sound funny at first — until you stop and really think about it.

A reporter asked Trump who he thinks should be the next pope after Pope Francis. Without missing a beat, Trump smiled and said, “I’d like to be pope. That’d be my No. 1 choice.”

People laughed. Of course they did. It’s not every day that a U.S. president — especially one who isn’t Catholic — says he wants to be pope. But if you’ve followed Trump over the years, you might understand why some people weren’t laughing. Because this is how it often starts with him. First, it’s a joke. Then later… maybe it’s not.

He followed up with a more serious answer: “I don’t have a preference. I might say we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good.”

He was talking about Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. That part sounded more grounded. But the damage was already done. The internet had grabbed hold of the “Pope Donald” moment, and the reactions were loud.

Below are some of the reactions:

But underneath the memes and laughter, a fundamental question began to form: Why does this feel familiar?

The answer lies in Trump’s pattern. He often floats strange ideas. He says them lightly like he’s joking. But over time, we’ve seen many of those ideas become part of his actual plans — or at least serious talking points. Remember Greenland? Trump once said he wanted to buy it. People thought it was a joke. Then we learned he had asked his team if it was possible.

Or when he suggested running for more than two terms — something that breaks U.S. tradition and the Constitution. He’s never completely ruled it out, and some of his supporters even chant for it at rallies.

He once even said that Canada could be America’s 51st state. Again, people laughed. But that idea, too, turned into honest policy conversations about how closely we control the northern border.

So now, when he says he wants to be pope, it’s not just about religion. It’s about testing limits. Seeing what people will accept.

Now, let’s step back. Can Donald Trump really become the pope? No. Only a baptized Catholic man — usually a cardinal — can be chosen. And the choice doesn’t come from voters or campaigns. It originates from a group of Catholic cardinals in a secret meeting known as a conclave. They vote until someone wins two-thirds support. Then they announce it to the world with white smoke from a Vatican chimney.

It’s a quiet, sacred process. Nothing like American elections. And nothing like Trump.

Featured image via Screengrab

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Terry Lawson

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Terry is an editor and political writer based in Alabama. Over the last five years, he’s worked behind the scenes as a ghostwriter for a range of companies, helping shape voices and tell stories that connect. Now at Political Tribune, he writes sharp political pieces and edits with a close eye on clarity and tone. Terry’s work is driven by strong storytelling, attention to detail, and a clear sense of purpose. He’s skilled in writing, editing, and project management — and always focused on getting the message right. You can find him on X at https://x.com/terrylwsn.

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