Atlanta, Georgia – Dozens of fake images generated by artificial intelligence are circulating among supporters of former President Donald Trump, showing him posing with Black individuals. A recent investigation by BBC Panorama revealed that these images, created by supporters themselves, are being shared widely on social media platforms.
One notable photo was created by Mark Kaye, a conservative radio show host based in Florida. Kaye defended his creation by stating that he is a storyteller, not a purveyor of accurate information. The use of artificial intelligence in generating fake media has already caused issues in the 2024 election campaign, with instances of robocalls using AI to mimic the voice of President Joe Biden urging voters not to participate in primaries.
The AI-generated images depicting Trump with Black men on a porch have sparked confusion among social media users, with some believing them to be real. One Atlanta taxi driver initially thought one of the photos was genuine, reinforcing his belief that Trump was supportive of the Black community. However, skepticism grew as online commenters pointed out the falsity of the images.
Experts have raised concerns about the resurgence of disinformation tactics targeting Black communities, similar to those observed during the 2020 election. Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, highlighted the documented efforts to spread disinformation specifically to younger Black voters.
Recent polling data from The New York Times and Siena College revealed a decline in support for Biden among Black voters in key swing states compared to the 2020 election. Recognizing this shift, Make America Great Again Inc, the primary political action committee supporting Trump, plans to launch an advertising campaign targeting Black voters in Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania this week.