US President Donald Trump has sparked global controversy after posting an image on Truth Social claiming he was the “Acting President of Venezuela” as of January 2026.
The image, styled like a Wikipedia entry, listed Trump alongside his US presidential titles and featured his official portrait and supposed tenure details.
The post came days after US forces reportedly captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and flew them to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
The post drew widespread backlash online, with critics questioning Trump’s intent and mocking the claim.
Facebook user @JayonBeers wrote, “Can we please ship him down there permanently,” while @RonLumaguip commented, “He has been acting in the US too.” Another user, @MarcelMarvez, sarcastically added, “My president.”
Following Maduro’s capture, the Trump administration declared that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela to ensure a secure transition and rebuild the country’s oil infrastructure.
Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was said to be serving as interim president amid alleged US pressure over access to Venezuelan resources.
Rodríguez has publicly rejected US authority, demanding Maduro’s release, with Venezuelan state media continuing to portray him as the country’s rightful leader.
The developments have triggered international backlash, with countries including China, Russia, Colombia and Spain condemning the US actions.
No international body or official platform, including Wikipedia, recognises Trump’s self-declared title, reinforcing claims that the post was a provocation rather than a legitimate assertion of power.
Domestically, some MAGA supporters praised the post as an example of decisive leadership, with Trump reportedly assigning Secretary of State Marco Rubio to oversee governance efforts alongside Rodríguez.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado is said to be preparing to meet Trump, as she pushes for US-backed elections in a future general vote.
Analysts warn that Trump’s move reflects an aggressive foreign policy approach centred on regime change and control of oil resources. With cooperation reportedly occurring under pressure, fears of unrest are growing in Caracas.