US President Donald Trump's recent posting of an AI-generated video depicting the arrest of former President Barack Obama on his Truth Social platform on Monday has again sparked debate over his use of such content. The video, created by a TikTok account with around 8,000 followers, shows fabricated footage of Obama's arrest and imprisonment. This is not an isolated incident; Trump previously shared a fake image of himself as the Pope (May 3) and an AI-generated video of a "Gaza Riviera" (February 26), promoting a controversial plan for Gaza's redevelopment that has been widely condemned. Similar AI-generated content was used in his reelection campaign.

Experts like Alex Mahadevan of MediaWise attribute Trump's actions to a strategy of "meme-ification" of politics, aiming for shock value and engagement, regardless of the content's veracity. Mahadevan explains that this approach is designed not to deceive but to push a political message and provoke outrage among opponents, solidifying support among his base. This strategy contributes to a "liar's dividend," making it easier to dismiss real information as fake.

The use of AI-generated content, according to experts, reflects a desire to create a "digital mirror world" mirroring Trump's desired future, even if it's preposterous in reality. While acknowledging the dangers of AI-generated misinformation, Trump continues to share such content.

Impact Statement: Trump's consistent use of AI-generated fake content contributes to political polarization and the erosion of trust in information sources.