The talks between the two leaders are expected as early as May. That meeting would follow one between the two Koreas set for April 27 - the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade.

Dennis Rodman has used his status as an unofficial ambassador to North Korea to promote closer ties between North Korea and the United States.

In his latest post on Twitter, Rodman said he wishes for peace and love between the US and North Korea.

But it was the photoshopped image included in the Tweet that raised eyebrows.

An image of a smiling Kim Jong-un was photoshopped to show the North Korean leader wearing Donald Trump's iconic red hat with the slogan 'Make American Great Again'.

The 56-year-old has made multiple visits to North Korea, meeting with Kim Jong Un three times.

Mr Kim's love of basketball and admiration of Dennis Rodman's history in the sport - he has won five NBA championships and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame - led to the three meetings.

In one of those meetings, the basketballer was reportedly given permission to hold Kim Jong-un's baby daughter—the first American to do so.

Social media users have responded to Rodman's photoshopped image on Twitter, calling it ridiculous.

You know what else is ridiculous? This.... pic.twitter.com/XSGMWVKTui — Joe Colacino (@JoeColac) March 30, 2018

Other users described it as scary.

In the spirit of Holy Week, I pronounce this scary AF. — brian feltovich (@BFeltovich) March 30, 2018

With friends like that who needs enemies. — The blue wave is coming! (@ABookishMind) March 30, 2018

US officials in President Barack Obama’s administration said they would have blocked Mr Rodma's trips to North Korea to meet Kim Jong-un if they had any power to implement that action.

The NBA has distanced itself from Mr Rodman's ambassadorial activities, with human rights groups criticising the former athlete for giving positive publicity to one of the world's most oppressive states.

Aware of the criticism, Rodman has defended what he called his "friendship" with Kim Jong-un, saying in 2013: "He's my friend for life - I don't care what you guys think about him."

Rodman has said in the past he is motivated by a genuine desire to see closer ties between the US and North Korea.

"The main thing we doing is trying to open doors between both countries," Rodman said in a video posted on Twitter, ahead of one of his trips to North Korea.