Let’s talk about the kind of moment that could only come from Donald Trump, where even the most somber of occasions becomes the perfect backdrop for his unmistakable brand of self-absorbed spectacle. And this time, the stage was set at the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, one of the most significant events on the global calendar.
Now, we’ve all come to expect the unexpected with Trump. We’ve seen him behave in ways that defy not just norms but basic human decency. But what happened at the Pope’s funeral—a moment of profound significance to millions around the world—was truly something else.
There he was, front and center, not with his head bowed in reflection, not paying his respects to a revered religious figure, but instead focused on something much more important: his phone. Yes, while leaders and dignitaries like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William stood in respectful silence, Trump was caught furiously typing away, as if he were preparing a tweet or catching up on the latest news.
Not to mention, his choice of attire, a blue suit, completely ignored the unspoken dress code of black that most attendees, including other world leaders, followed. It’s as if Trump showed up to a funeral, not as a global figure, but as the embodiment of everything we’ve come to despise about celebrity culture, where rules are made to be broken, and the occasion is merely a backdrop for one’s personal flair.
But it doesn’t end there. The piece de resistance, of course, was his chewing gum. Yes, you read that right. The former president was caught popping a piece of gum into his mouth mid-ceremony, an act so casual and disrespectful that it made you wonder if he thought he was at a baseball game or a fast-food joint instead of the funeral of a religious leader who had touched billions of lives.
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And let’s be clear: this wasn’t a small, unnoticed slip. Trump’s phone usage and gum-chewing were caught on camera by international outlets, and the internet responded with a wave of collective outrage. “Total disgrace” seemed to be the common refrain, with many pointing out the absolute absurdity of it all. “Wearing blue, on his phone at the Pope’s funeral. I’m an atheist and even I show more respect for the dead,” one commenter wrote. It was a sentiment echoed by many who couldn’t understand why, at such an important moment, Trump thought it appropriate to be anything but respectful.
In a bizarre twist of irony, even the eulogy given by Cardinal Giovanni Re seemed to serve as an indirect critique of Trump. The cardinal’s message, emphasizing the importance of “building bridges, not walls,” seemed to underscore the very policies and attitudes that have defined Trump’s tenure in the spotlight. It was a subtle but powerful call-out, a reminder of just how disconnected he is from the very ideals that Pope Francis embodied.
Leave it to Donald Trump to be on his phone during the Pope's funeral.
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) April 26, 2025
Such an embarrassment. pic.twitter.com/2zwnILHOpd
And then there’s the issue of Trump’s usual taste for extravagance. While the Pope requested a simple wooden coffin—an understated symbol of humility—Trump’s world is built on gold, opulence, and excess. His decision to disregard the simplicity of the occasion only highlighted the stark contrast between him and the other dignitaries present, like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was applauded for his respectful demeanor.
Zelensky and other leaders like Macron and Starmer managed to embody the kind of decency and respect that should have been expected from Trump, but of course, he took this as yet another opportunity to remind everyone just how much he doesn’t care for convention or decorum. While other leaders engaged in meaningful conversations, Trump likely spent his time checking his phone for the latest headlines or maybe googling something like “how to make a funeral less boring.”
At the end of the day, this incident wasn’t just about a man texting during a funeral; it was about an individual who continuously shows that, no matter the situation, it’s all about him. It’s as if the world’s most important moments are simply inconveniences to be navigated between rounds of golf or rallies. For those who had hoped that Trump might finally rise to the occasion and show the kind of dignity expected from a world leader, this moment confirmed that such hope was, sadly, misplaced.
🇻🇦🇺🇸 Donald Trump caught chewing gum and playing on his phone during the Pope’s funeral.
— Press infos 🛰️ (@EUFreeCitizen) April 26, 2025
(Source: Daily Mirror) pic.twitter.com/U9rR36vI9t
So, there you have it: another disgraceful chapter in the ongoing saga of Donald Trump, one that will surely be remembered not for the man he could have been, but for the man he chose to be. And as history looks back, there will be plenty of footage to review when we ask how we ended up with a man who thought it was perfectly fine to text through a Pope’s funeral. One thing’s for sure: Trump’s commitment to being himself—no matter how badly it reflects on those around him—remains unwavering.
