Trump Posts Fake Taylor Swift Endorsement
Former President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by sharing a series of fake images on his Truth Social platform, implying that pop superstar Taylor Swift and her fans, known as "Swifties," are endorsing him in the upcoming election.
The images, many of which appear to have been generated using artificial intelligence, include one of Swift dressed in patriotic colours with a caption that reads, "Taylor Swift Wants You To Vote For Donald Trump." Trump added his own message: "I accept!"
Swift has not endorsed any candidate in the 2024 race but has previously supported Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden in 2020. She has also been vocal in her criticism of Trump, particularly during his presidency.
Despite this, Trump posted several images depicting Swift fans wearing "Swifties for Trump" t-shirts, and even a satirical article suggesting that her fans are turning to Trump after an ISIS-related incident disrupted her Vienna concerts.
Many of these images were quickly identified as deepfakes, and several Swift fans expressed outrage over the misleading posts. Advocacy groups and watchdog organisations also voiced concerns, highlighting the potential dangers of AI-generated misinformation, especially in the context of elections.
Public Citizen, a consumer rights group, called Trump's post "yet another example of AI's power to create misinformation," warning of the "wide-reaching and immensely damaging" effects on society.
In response to the backlash, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung doubled down, claiming, "Swifties for Trump is a massive movement that grows bigger every single day."
However, this statement appears to contradict the widespread understanding that Swift's fan base largely opposes Trump and his policies.
This incident is not the first time AI-generated content has been linked to Trump's campaign. Earlier in the year, deep fake images of Black Americans supposedly supporting Trump were widely circulated online, though no direct connection to Trump’s official campaign was found.
As Swift wraps up the European leg of her Eras Tour, the controversy over Trump's posts highlights the increasing use of AI in spreading political misinformation. Fans and observers alike are calling for stronger regulations and awareness to combat the spread of such deceptive content.
