In a move highlighting the intersection of global religion and US politics, former President Donald Trump hosted a private gathering at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, with a very special guest: Louis Prevost, the brother of the current Pope, Leo XIV. The event, footage of which surfaced on social media, saw Trump warmly praising Prevost for his vocal support of the "Make America Great Again" movement.
A Presidential Endorsement of Papal Family Ties to MAGA
Addressing guests at the Sunday night party, Trump introduced Louis Prevost as a "special man" and the "brother of the pope." He then explained his fondness for the 74-year-old by referencing a picture he claimed showed Prevost standing in front of a house prominently displaying the "MAGA" slogan. "When the Pope was selected, they showed a picture of his brother standing in front of a house with 'MAGA' all over it," Trump stated in the leaked video. "So I said, 'I love this guy!'" he added. While the specific photograph Trump mentioned remains unidentified, Prevost has publicly described himself as a "MAGA type."
Prevost's History of Controversial Pro-Trump Posts
Louis Prevost's political leanings are no secret. Earlier this year, when his family was thrust into the global spotlight following his brother's election as Pope, his social media activity drew significant attention. A Daily Beast report revealed his Facebook account was filled with pro-Trump memes and messages. One particularly offensive repost referred to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi using a derogatory C-word. The caption on that clip criticized "f—king liberals crying about tariffs."
His support extends beyond online activity. Prevost and his wife, Deborah, were photographed in the Oval Office back in May 2024, smiling alongside Trump and Vice President JD Vance. This meeting occurred shortly after Vance, a Catholic convert, received a lecture on compassion from the late Pope Francis.
Political Divides Within a Prominent Global Family
The Mar-a-Lago event underscores a striking political divide. While many Democrats and liberals celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV—known for his disagreements with Trump on migrant rights and his questioning of VP Vance's interpretation of Catholic doctrine—his own brother stands firmly in the opposite camp. Prevost's views are sharply conservative; he has called for the arrest of Democratic representatives who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling it treason. He has also suggested letting European allies "go their own way into complete socialism and ultimately communism."
Trump's decision to host and publicly celebrate Prevost is seen as a symbolic gesture, aligning himself with a faction within the Pope's own family and leveraging it to reinforce his political brand among his base. The incident highlights how domestic US political battles can find unexpected echoes in the most revered global institutions.
