The Trump campaign has once again made headlines with its use of AI-generated deepfake videos to mock opponents in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. This tactic, employed by Donald Trump Jr., aims to undermine Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) by editing him into a scene from “The Office,” substituting the character Michael Scott with DeSantis. The video, shared on social media, reinforces concerns about the dissemination of fake content and perpetuates homophobic and transphobic tropes within political campaigns.
Deepfake technology, capable of creating remarkably realistic audio and video footage, has become a growing concern as it provides a platform for spreading misinformation and manipulating public opinion. Last week, Trump himself shared a deepfake video featuring gay CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, where Cooper appears to make a derogatory comment about Trump. While Cooper never made such a statement, the abundance of publicly available video and audio recordings of him allows AI programs to convincingly generate fake content.
Although some deepfake videos are intended for comedic purposes, the emergence of high-quality deepfakes poses a significant risk during the upcoming presidential campaign. Candidates and foreign entities could exploit this technology to sway voters by disseminating convincing yet fabricated videos. The Trump campaign’s utilization of deepfakes suggests a continuation of their willingness to employ such tactics to undermine opponents and spread disinformation.
The ongoing rivalry between Trump and DeSantis for the Republican nomination for the presidency has been characterized by public jabs and escalating tensions. Trump, expressing regret over endorsing DeSantis during his successful gubernatorial campaign in 2018, has been openly critical of the Florida governor’s personality and governing style. In response, DeSantis has emphasized the importance of focusing on substantial results rather than engaging in daily drama or social media discourse.
However, the Trump campaign’s recent misstep occurred over the Memorial Day Weekend when a campaign official tweeted a photo of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in uniform from his time in the U.S. Navy Reserve, intending to mock DeSantis’s military service. This move received backlash, even from conservative circles, highlighting the potential negative consequences of crossing boundaries in political attacks.
As the 2024 presidential race gains momentum, the use of AI-generated deepfake videos raises critical concerns about the spread of fake content, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes, and the manipulation of public sentiment. The Trump campaign’s reliance on such tactics underscores the need for increased awareness and vigilance to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.