‘AI president’: Trump deepfakes glorify himself, trash rivals

In an unprecedented move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as a central tool in his political communication strategy. Since beginning his second term, Trump has flooded his Truth Social platform with hyper-realistic AI-generated content, portraying himself in grandiose roles while discrediting his political adversaries. These fabricated visuals, ranging from Trump as a crowned king to Superman, have captivated and deceived social media users, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The White House has remained silent on whether Trump or his aides are behind these creations, but the impact is undeniable. Critics argue that this marks a dangerous escalation in the weaponization of AI for political gain. Trump’s posts have included absurd scenarios, such as a video of him piloting a fighter jet labeled ‘King Trump’ dumping waste on protesters, and another promoting the debunked ‘MedBed’ conspiracy theory. His use of AI has also targeted rivals, including former President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with racially charged imagery. Experts like Nora Benavidez of Free Press warn that such tactics distort reality and undermine public discourse. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has adopted a similar strategy, using AI-generated content to mock Republicans after recent Democratic victories. This trend raises critical questions about the ethical use of AI in politics and its potential to erode shared truths in society.