Donald Trump has become the first US president to make artificial intelligence-generated imagery a routine part of political communication, using hyperrealistic visuals to promote himself, mock critics, and dominate online attention.
During the first year of his second term, Trump has repeatedly shared AI-generated images and videos on Truth Social and other platforms. The visuals range from playful self-glorification to deliberately provocative portrayals of rivals. The strategy reflects a shift in how political messaging is packaged, especially for audiences accustomed to fast moving, visual driven content.
Among the most shared images is one showing Trump playing football inside the Oval Office with Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Trump described as a “GREAT GUY” who is “really smart and cool.” Another widely circulated post depicts Trump relaxing with Benjamin Netanyahu at a luxury resort, with a sign reading “Trump Gaza” in the background. The image followed Trump’s controversial proposal to turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” a remark that had sparked international outrage.
Other AI visuals shared by Trump or official White House accounts show him dressed as the pope, roaring beside a lion, and conducting an orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
“Welcome to the United States’ first White House administration to embrace and use imagery generated by artificial intelligence in everyday communication,” said a report by Poynter. The report added, “With AI, Trump quickly deploys stereotypes and false narratives in entertaining posts that memorably distill complicated issues into their basest political talking points, regardless of factual basis.”
Using provocation to rally supporters
Trump has saved his most inflammatory AI content for political opponents. Last year, he posted a fabricated video showing former president Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office and later appearing behind bars in an orange jumpsuit.
He also shared an AI-generated image of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a fake mustache and sombrero. Jeffries criticised the image as racist.
“For someone like Trump, unregulated generative AI is the perfect tool to capture attention and distort reality,” Nora Benavidez, senior counsel at the advocacy group Free Press, told AFP. “Obama was never arrested in the Oval Office. But calling Trump out for telling this lie won’t faze him or his followers. A leader who lies without any truth testing means that facts are contingent on Trump’s approval.”
Campaigning while governing
Political analysts say Trump’s use of AI imagery fits into a broader strategy of continuous campaigning.
“While it would in many ways be desirable for the president to stay above the fray and away from sharing AI-generated images, Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he sees his time in office as a nonstop political campaign,” said Joshua Tucker, co-director of the New York University Center for Social Media and Politics, speaking to AFP.
“We should simply see his use of AI-generated political images as just one of many tools he uses to continue this campaign,” Tucker added.
Why AI messaging matters
The growing political use of AI has raised concerns among researchers. A study published last month in the journal Nature found that human-AI interactions advocating for political candidates could significantly shift voter preferences in the United States, Canada, and Poland.
Trump’s approach has already been copied. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr promoted a “Make Santa Healthy Again” campaign using AI video content, while US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deployed AI imagery in its immigration messaging.
Even Trump’s critics have embraced the tactic. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently posted an AI-generated video depicting Trump and senior officials in handcuffs, declaring, “It’s cuffing season.”
As AI tools become more accessible and convincing, Trump’s presidency may mark a turning point where political persuasion relies less on reality and more on who can create the most arresting version of it.
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