A billboard featuring former President Donald Trump as the second coming of Jesus Christ has been taken down following online backlash.
The advertisement was placed near Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia and was shared on Twitter earlier this week where it quickly garnered intense criticism. Users believed it was “misleading” at its best and “blasphemous” at its worst.
When you’re not the Anti-Christ but your followers think that would be a good idea.
People just over the border in Georgia seeking to redefine blasphemy. And doing an excellent job at it. @BrianZahnd @keithgiles #isaiahwasnottalkingabouttrump pic.twitter.com/QJ7PWZgEJw
— Bill Bond: Unlearn, Relearn Y’all (@wcbj) September 10, 2021
The image featured Trump next to a misquoted and misattributed passage from Scriptures that read: “Unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders.” The actual quote is from Isaiah 9:6, which reads, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Additionally, the phrase “Joint Heirs” was written on the billboard next to Romans 8:17, which is about being co-heirs with Christ. However, the placement of the words makes it seem as if Romans 8:17 references the Isaiah quote. Additionally, it’s an odd verse to pair with one claiming the former president is the second coming of Jesus.
Reagan Outdoor Advertising, which owns and operates the billboard space, confirmed that the advertisement has been removed as of this week.
The advertisement garnered backlash among Christians and non-Christians alike. Scott Hibberts, the general manager of Reagan Outdoor Advertising-Chattanooga, did not give a specific reason for the advertisement’s removal, saying that Reagan Outdoor Advertising “supports our advertiser’s First Amendment rights and the use of our displays to promote legal products and services, as well as other messages that may be editorial in nature.”