US President Donald Trump has posted, on his social-media platform, an AI-generated video of him and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo playing a vigorous game of keepy-uppy in the Oval Office. In the short clip, both are seen dramatically volleying, smoothly heading, and playfully dribbling, making for a bizarre crossover of global politics and elite sport. This came a day after Trump had hosted Ronaldo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a private White House dinner, further fuelling online interest.
The video that captured global attention
It shows Trump, in cartoonishly broad football moves, remarkably agile, while Ronaldo completes flawless tricks against a backdrop arranged to look like the Oval Office. The fluid movements and professional shots meant many could instantly tell this was a digital creation. Nevertheless, millions watched and forwarded the clip, enjoying its light-hearted feel and quality AI rendering.
Why the timing added to the buzz
The video was released just hours after Ronaldo's infrequent visit to the U.S. for the dinner at the White House, his first prominent appearance since 2014. Trump posted the video on the morning after that, and comments on social media erupted. With the high-profile nature of the gathering, the AI clip offered a light and unexpected moment in what had been otherwise more serious geopolitical discussions surrounding the visit.
No, Trump did not suddenly become a football star
Despite the convincing visuals, there is really no evidence that Trump and Ronaldo ever played football together. Crisp movements, seamless passes, and perfectly timed headers spoke of its AI origin. To many analysts and fans, it had been a well-done deepfake that was supposed to be entertaining, not deceiving.
Online reactions: From humour to scrutiny
Social-media users reacted with humour and curiosity. People joked about the new "skills" of Trump, speculating as to what could have been said in that video, especially about what Trump's caption meant: "CR7 × 45/47." The blend of Ronaldo's brand with Trump's political aspirations only added to the intrigue of the viral moment.
A reminder of AI's growing influence
The speed with which this video went viral underlines how AI-generated content can very easily blur the line between reality and imagination. Within hours, a fictional football moment between two global figures dominated social conversations, a reminder again to audiences of the entertainment value and risks from today's powerful digital tools.
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