Donald and Melania

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have faced criticism for a social media post about attending Pope Francis’ funeral. The pope passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke. A statement from Cardinal Kevin Farrell honored his lifelong service to the church and commitment to the marginalized. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, following a nine-day mourning period. The Vatican has released details of his funeral and final wishes, while the process of electing a new pope is expected to take 15 to 20 days.

The backlash came after Trump posted on Truth Social that he and Melania were “looking forward” to attending the funeral, a phrase many found inappropriate. Online users called the comment tone-deaf, with critics noting that funerals are somber occasions and not something one typically anticipates with enthusiasm. The remark was widely shared and criticized as insensitive, with many expressing shock over the language used. The White House has not commented on the reaction.