Trump's AI-Driven Propaganda Machine: Shaping Politics and Public Perception

President Donald Trump is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create and disseminate propaganda, a strategy that has become a hallmark of his social media presence. The New York Times reports that since late 2022, Trump has posted at least 62 AI-generated images and videos on his Truth Social account, targeting political rivals, promoting his campaign, and reimagining himself in various roles.

AI-Generated Content Dominates Trump's Social Media

Trump’s use of AI-generated content spans a wide range of themes. He has attacked his opponents, including top Democratic leaders and Republican rivals, with 14 fake images and videos. In the run-up to the 2024 election, he posted 19 AI-generated images and videos supporting his presidential campaign. Additionally, he has used AI to bring his policy ideas to life, mock criticism, and celebrate his administration in seven posts. Most notably, Trump has shared 21 fantastical reimaginings of himself, such as receiving the Nobel Peace Prize or being depicted as a king.

Examples of AI-Generated Propaganda

One recent example includes an AI-generated video where Trump is shown as a fighter pilot, dropping excrement on protesters in major cities. This post came after nationwide protests against his administration. Another instance involved an image of Elon Musk next to a D.O.G.E. logo, long before the cost-cutting idea became a reality.

Industry Context and Implications

Political experts warn that even the most benign uses of AI by the president can normalize these tools as a potent new form of political messaging. Henry Ajder, an expert on AI and the founder of Latent Space Advisory, an AI-consulting firm, notes, “Trump is the most notable person sharing this content, but this is really becoming an international, new form of political messaging. It’s designed to go viral, it’s clearly fake, it’s got this absurdist kind of tone to it. But there’s often still some kind of messaging in there.”

The White House has defended Trump’s use of AI, stating, “No leader has used social media to communicate directly with the American people more creatively and effectively than President Trump,” according to Liz Huston, the White House’s assistant press secretary.

Global Impact and Future Outlook

AI tools have rapidly improved from producing obviously fake images in 2022 to more lifelike renderings, including video and audio, in the current year. Politicians around the world are using AI to bring their partisan arguments to life, such as visualizing the supposed effects of ‘open borders’ during campaigns. For Trump, these tools help him to visualize and amplify his messages, shaping both politics and public perception.

References

• How Trump is Using AI to Attack Enemies and Rouse Supporters - The New York Times