Trump shares AI-generated fake Taylor Swift endorsement in latest move

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has been notably active on his social media accounts as the Democrats convene for their national conference in Chicago, although some of his posts appear to drift far from reality.

Leading up to the Democratic National Convention, Trump posted a fabricated image depicting Vice President Kamala Harris addressing what looks like a communist rally in Chicago, complete with a red banner featuring a communist symbol. This post followed another in which he shared a fake video showing himself dancing alongside billionaire Elon Musk, one of his most vocal supporters.

Just before the convention commenced, Trump reposted an image of pop star Taylor Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, falsely claiming she endorsed his campaign. Swift has not given such an endorsement.

These posts are the latest instances of Trump using AI-generated content to attack his opponents or create an illusion of support around his own campaign. This tactic harks back to his long-standing strategy of amplifying alternate realities, from QAnon adherents to those denying fair election results, to score political points and please his base.

Some of the AI-generated images and videos Trump has shared are blatantly fake or cartoonish. However, the rise of AI-generated content across political social media has alarmed experts, who warn that such material could be used to spread more deceitful and credible disinformation. As AI-created fake images, videos, and audio clips become more common, there’s a growing risk that people’s trust in what they see and hear will erode.

“The AI-generated deepfakes of Taylor Swift are yet another example of AI’s power to create misinformation that deceives and defrauds voters,” remarked Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a consumer rights advocacy group pushing for AI regulation. “The potential harms to our society from such misinformation are wide-reaching and immensely damaging.”

One AI-generated image in Trump’s Truth Social post, shared on Sunday, depicted women wearing “Swifties for Trump” shirts. Another fake image showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam with text saying, “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.” Trump commented, “I accept!”

One of the images included a small satire label, but Trump did not clarify if his post was meant as a joke.

Swift, who is on her world tour with a scheduled show in London, has not made any endorsement in this year’s U.S. presidential race. Her spokesperson did not return multiple messages seeking comment.

For Republicans outside Trump’s sphere, focusing on Swift—a globally talked about artist—is a strategy to draw attention back to Trump at a time when Democratic figures like Harris are in the spotlight.

“This is how he and the campaign can wrest back news cycles,” said Doug Heye, a seasoned Republican spokesperson and operative. “Using someone like Taylor Swift grabs attention.”

A Harris spokesperson did not respond to questions about Trump’s use of AI-generated images.

Trump supporters often create social media posts and memes using AI-generated images, with some getting shared by the former president.

Before Trump shared the fake Swift images, his supporters had already posted their AI-generated content depicting the pop star as a Trump supporter. They also circulated numerous images of Harris depicted as a communist leader or speaking to a Soviet audience.

Political analysts have been long concerned about the implications of AI on elections.

Some Congress members have advocated for legislation to regulate AI-generated political images, but none have come close to passing. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed requiring political advertisers to disclose their use of AI in TV and radio ads, but this rule wouldn’t impact social media platforms.

Despite existing rules for labeling AI-generated content, compliance is inconsistent across social media companies. Misleading and lifelike AI-generated images of both Trump and Harris garner millions of views, with some users unable to identify them as fake.

Given Swift’s widespread influence and massive fan base, she frequently becomes a trending political topic during election years.

In 2020, she supported President Joe Biden, expressing enthusiasm for then-vice presidential nominee Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She was also openly critical of Trump, accusing him of stoking “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”

This year, although she has remained politically silent, prominent conservatives are wary of a possible Swift endorsement of the Democratic ticket.

Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro warned Swift not to “get involved in politics,” and Sean Hannity advised her to reconsider backing Biden for re-election. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate, criticized Swift and her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, as being a “culturally propped-up couple” who might make a significant presidential endorsement.

Some Swift fans have declared their intention to vote for Trump in response to his posts. Trump’s campaign has embraced this support.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s spokesman, did not address the use of fake images but described “Swifties for Trump” as a “massive movement growing bigger every day.”

Associated Press writer Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report.

Source: Associated Press