Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Trump Uses AI-Generated Deepfakes to Glorify Himself and Skewer Critics
Imagine someone making funny or scary pictures and videos of the president using a computer program.
The president has been sharing lots of these fake pictures on his social media.
Some show him as a king or Superman, making him look really powerful.
Others make his opponents look silly or like criminals.
This is a new way for leaders to talk to people using technology, but some grown-ups worry it's being used to trick people and spread untrue things.
It's like playing pretend with real people, but using very realistic computer tricks.
Some people think it's just a funny way to campaign, while others are concerned it makes it hard to know what's real.
Donald Trump is using AI-generated deepfakes on Truth Social to promote himself and criticize opponents.
Examples include images of Trump as 'King Trump' dumping waste on protesters and as 'Superman'.
Critics argue this is an unprecedented weaponization of AI imagery to distort reality and control discourse.
The AI content has also targeted political rivals like Barack Obama and Hakeem Jeffries.
Experts suggest this strategy is akin to 'campaigning through trolling' rather than deliberate widespread deception.
- Who
- Donald Trump, his administration, and critics
- What
- Using artificial intelligence-generated imagery (deepfakes) to glorify himself, skewer political opponents, and spread conspiracy theories.
- When
- Since starting his second White House term, with specific examples noted from recent months (last month, July, September) and Tuesday.
- Where
- Primarily on his Truth Social channel and other social media platforms.
- Why
- To glorify himself, attack adversaries, distort reality, control public discourse, and engage in political campaigning.
Critics of AI Use
Supporters/Contextualizers of AI Use
Weaponization of AI Imagery
Critics of AI Use
Concerns that AI imagery is being used as an unprecedented weapon by a sitting president to distort reality, control public discourse, and attack adversaries.
Supporters/Contextualizers of AI Use
Views this behavior more as 'campaigning through trolling' than actively trying to propagate false beliefs, suggesting it's a political strategy rather than genuine disinformation.
Impact on Reality and Trust
Critics of AI Use
Argues that unregulated generative AI is the perfect tool for distorting reality and that such tactics make it difficult to return to a shared reality.
Supporters/Contextualizers of AI Use
While acknowledging the use of AI images, this perspective focuses on the political campaigning aspect, implying a separation from a desire to deceive about reality.
Perceived Racism
Critics of AI Use
Accusations that certain AI images, like one of Hakeem Jeffries with a fake mustache and sombrero, are racist.
Supporters/Contextualizers of AI Use
The article doesn't present a direct defense of the specific racist image but frames Trump's overall AI use as part of a continuous campaign strategy.
- President
- Donald Trump
- Platform for AI Content
- Truth Social
- Examples of AI Content
- King Trump in fighter jet, Superman Trump, Trump as Pope, Trump roaring with lion, Trump conducting orchestra, Obama arrested, Hakeem Jeffries in sombrero, Trump promising MedBeds
- Key Critic
- Nora Benavidez (Free Press)
- Expert Commentator
- Joshua Tucker (NYU Center for Social Media and Politics)
- Counter-example
- Gavin Newsom posted AI video lampooning Republicans after elections.