President Donald Trump’s recent interview with ABC has sparked backlash after he defended a controversial image posted on Truth Social. The image showed the hand of Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, a Maryland man deported to El Salvador, with text suggesting he had MS-13 gang tattoos.

Trump insisted the tattoos clearly spelled “MS-13,” claiming a marijuana leaf and smiley face represented the letters M and S, and a skull and cross symbolized 13. However, experts disputed the claim, with one gang expert telling CBS the tattoos didn’t resemble typical MS-13 symbols. ABC’s Terry Moran challenged Trump, suggesting the image was photoshopped, pointing out the added text.

Trump denied the accusation and lashed out at the media, saying, “He has MS-13 on his knuckles… This is why people no longer believe the news.”

Online users criticized Trump’s response, calling the moment “tragic” and “embarrassing.” Many mocked his insistence that the image was genuine and the text wasn’t digitally added.

Critics also expressed concern over how easily misinformation is accepted by some of Trump’s supporters, despite contradictory evidence.