U.S. President Donald Trump posted a digitally altered image on Truth Social, identifying himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela.” The post has drawn international attention amid heightened tensions following the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
Donald Trump claims he’s ‘acting president’ in new post
The photo shared on Truth Social on January 11, 2026, by Donald Trump features his official presidential portrait. Notably, it lists his designation as “Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026.”
Trump’s post comes days after the United States captured Maduro during a nighttime operation on January 3, 2026. The operation followed months of escalating pressure on Venezuela and was accompanied by a series of military strikes. Maduro was taken out of the country and later arraigned in a U.S. court on federal charges. He continues to challenge his detention, asserting that his capture violates international law and sovereign immunity.
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice moved to establish interim leadership. On January 3, the court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president. The ruling cited constitutional provisions and emphasized the need to maintain administrative continuity and protect national institutions. The court stated that interim leadership was determined through Venezuela’s constitutional succession process, not by any foreign government.
Despite the court ruling, Donald Trump made multiple public statements suggesting a temporary U.S. role in governing Venezuela. Hours after Maduro’s capture, Trump said at a press conference that the United States would “run” Venezuela during the transition period to ensure stability and resume oil production. “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” he said (via Bloomberg Television).
