Former President Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval over the purported circulation of manipulated images depicting him on the golf course. The images, which portray him with a visibly altered physique, are allegedly being disseminated on various social media platforms, much to the dissatisfaction of the 45th U.S. President.
In a statement released on Truth Social, a social media platform established by Trump, he vehemently criticized individuals responsible for the dissemination of the images. Trump alleged that the contested photos were generated using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) technology, branding them as “fake” and condemning the perpetrators as “despicable”.
Trump did not mince words in conveying his disdain, stating, “The Fake News used Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to create the picture. These are despicable people, but everyone knows that.” The disgruntled former president also bemoaned the prevalence of what he referred to as ‘Fake News’ in the country, insinuating that it is the primary type of information being circulated.
In response, Trump shared three alternative photographs depicting him in a notably different physical state while participating in a game of golf on the same day. The stark contrast between the two sets of images is intended to demonstrate that the initial photos are unequivocally false and misleading.
This incident has arisen at an inopportune moment for Trump, as a recent ruling by a New York judge has ordered him to pay a substantial fine of $355 million in relation to a civil business fraud trial. Undoubtedly, it has been a challenging day for the former president.
In this context, it is imperative to exercise caution when consuming information shared on social media platforms. While these platforms can serve as sources of news and entertainment, they are also susceptible to manipulation and the dissemination of misinformation. It is therefore crucial to critically evaluate the content that we encounter and verify its authenticity.