On Thursday, Donald Trump shared a social media video crafted using AI technology, in which he appears as a physician claiming to have cured several of his notable critics, such as Rosie O'Donnell, of the imaginary ailment termed "Trump derangement syndrome."
Despite the playful representation in the video, O'Donnell reiterated her long-standing views on the former president, labeling him as "quite ill—and getting worse daily." She called for action, stating, “The 25th Amendment exists for exactly this reason. Remove. Impeach. Convict.”
The video, distributed on Trump's social media handle @realDonaldTrump, showcases AI-generated likenesses of various celebrities who have previously criticized him and his policies, including Julia Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, and Edward Norton.
Utilizing hyper-realistic visual effects, the video portrays these celebrities expressing regret over their earlier opposition to Trump. An AI version of Robert De Niro, for instance, lamented, "I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, constantly angry. I made everyone miserable around me."
Donning a doctor's coat and stethoscope, the AI-created "Dr. Trump" expresses uncertainty about treating those suffering from TDS, a term Trump and his supporters have used against those they believe unjustly oppose his agenda. He remarks, “They were so far gone, I wasn’t really sure," before outlining what he suggests as a treatment regimen.
His advice for "TDS" sufferers includes turning off "fake news," praying, and, when feeling anxious, enjoying a Diet Coke, claiming such simple steps can lead to "a remarkable difference in your life."
Trump has shown a keen interest in AI-generated content, using it to paint a favorable picture of his presidency or to attack adversaries. Earlier this year, he posted a controversial image of himself as Jesus, which he later deleted after receiving backlash from prominent Christian figures who deemed it blasphemous. He has also shared depictions of himself as the Pope and even as a king on a mock Time magazine cover, exclaiming, "Long live the king!"
In February, he shared a racially charged video featuring Barack and Michelle Obama portrayed as apes, which drew significant criticism, leading him to delete the post without issuing an apology.
The White House has largely treated Trump's posts as amusing, indicative of his unique approach to political messaging. Davis Ingle, a spokesperson for the White House, defended the latest video, stating that it was Trump’s “right” to share such content. He added, “Trump Derangement Syndrome is a crippling disease that has unfortunately rotted the brains of many people.”
Officials have not confirmed whether they reached out to any of the actors featured in the video for permission to use their images.
