Actor Michael Rapaport shares AI-generated fake Holocaust image
Actor Michael Rapaport posted an AI-generated fake image of a Holocaust violinist with a fabricated story to Facebook in July 2025. The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum publicly identified both the image and narrative as fabrications disrespecting Holocaust victims, and Rapaport subsequently deleted the post.
What happened
Actor Michael Rapaport posted a black and white image to Facebook in early July 2025 depicting a malnourished man playing a violin, accompanied by a story claiming the man was a violinist named 'Henek' forced by Nazis to play while prisoners were marched to their deaths.
The post included a narrative in which a thirteen-year-old girl thanked the violinist, saying 'Your music is the last thing I'll hear. Thank you.' The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum identified both the image and story as AI-generated fabrications and called for users not to share the post. Rapaport subsequently deleted the post.
Reported impact
The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum stated that the fabrication 'disrespects victims and harasses their memory.'
Index analysis
The fake image and story were created using AI systems, with sources noting the narrative appeared to be written by ChatGPT. The posting occurred within the context of Rapaport's vocal support for Israel and his daily posting of Israeli hostage names on social media.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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