Louis Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, has drawn significant attention for his political views and social media activity following his sibling’s historic election as the first American pope. The Florida resident and Navy veteran has openly expressed strong support for President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, leading to both praise from conservative circles and criticism from others.
Prevost gained national prominence when Trump described him as “a major MAGA fan” during a May 20, 2025 meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill. The president expressed enthusiasm about meeting the pope’s brother, stating his intention to shake his hand and give him a hug. Later that evening, Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Louis Prevost and his wife Deborah in the Oval Office.
The 71-year-old Port Charlotte resident has faced scrutiny for his past social media posts, which included derogatory comments about Democrats. When confronted about these posts during a May 12, 2025 interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Prevost acknowledged his statements but indicated he had become more cautious since his brother’s papal election.
Prevost explained that he posted content he believed in but had not anticipated his brother becoming pope so soon. He expressed concern about creating unnecessary controversy for the new pontiff, acknowledging that Pope Leo XIV would face enough challenges without additional scrutiny from the press regarding his brother’s political statements. The eldest Prevost brother indicated he had been restraining himself from making further public comments to avoid generating negative attention for his sibling.
The social media controversy emerged after several news outlets discovered Prevost’s online posts expressing strong support for Trump and criticism of Democratic politicians. These posts became a focal point for media coverage following Pope Leo XIV’s election on May 8, 2025, as journalists examined the papal family’s background and political affiliations.
Prevost attended his brother’s inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, where he sat beside Second Lady Usha Vance during the ceremony. He also participated in the official U.S. delegation meeting with Pope Leo XIV on May 19, 2025, alongside Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During this meeting, Vance presented Trump’s formal invitation for the pope to visit the White House, which the pontiff indicated he would consider for some point in the future.
In multiple media interviews following his brother’s election, Prevost expressed pride and amazement at the historic development. He described watching the papal announcement on television and recognizing his brother’s name being called, which he found overwhelming. The former Navy serviceman indicated he had questioned his brother about accepting the papal role if elected, and Pope Leo XIV had responded that he would accept as it would represent God’s will.
Prevost has spoken about his concerns regarding future access to his brother, wondering whether their family relationship would be affected by the papal responsibilities. He expressed uncertainty about whether family members would be able to visit and maintain personal contact with Pope Leo XIV given the demands and protocols of his new position.
The controversy surrounding Prevost’s political views highlights the unique challenges facing the first American papal family. Unlike previous popes from other nations, Pope Leo XIV’s relatives live within the intense media environment of U.S. politics, where family members’ statements and affiliations receive heightened scrutiny from both domestic and international press.
Prevost’s military background mirrors that of his father, who also served in the Navy. The family grew up in the Chicago area, where Pope Leo XIV demonstrated religious inclinations from an early age. Louis Prevost recalled his brother playing priest as a child while other siblings engaged in typical childhood games and activities.
The White House meeting represented a significant moment in the intersection of American politics and Vatican relations. Trump’s public embrace of the pope’s brother, combined with the formal invitation extended to Pope Leo XIV, demonstrates the administration’s effort to leverage the historic nature of having an American pontiff for diplomatic and political purposes.
The ongoing attention to Prevost’s social media presence and political views reflects broader questions about how family members of high-profile religious leaders navigate public scrutiny while maintaining their personal beliefs and expressions. His situation presents unprecedented challenges given the global attention focused on the Vatican and the historic nature of his brother’s papal election.
