New Delhi, April 15 -- US Vice President JD Vance addressed criticism surrounding an AI-generated image shared-and later deleted-by President Donald Trump, which many interpreted as depicting Trump in a Christ-like role.

The image sparked backlash across the political spectrum, including from some of Trump's supporters, after it appeared to show him placing a hand on a bedridden man's head amid patriotic imagery.

Vance dismissed the controversy, saying the post was intended as humor.

"The president was posting a joke, and of course, he took it down because he recognized that a lot of people weren't understanding his humor in that case," Vance told Fox News.

He added that Trump's unfiltered style is part of his appeal.

"The President ...