AI-Generated Deepfake Video Depicts MLK Supporting Trump
A pro-Trump account posted an AI-generated deepfake video on X depicting Martin Luther King Jr. endorsing Donald Trump, prompting his daughter Bernice King to demand its removal and call it disrespectful to her father's legacy and family.
What happened
A pro-MAGA social media account posted an AI-generated deepfake video on X on Sunday that synthesized Martin Luther King Jr.'s voice and likeness to appear as if he were endorsing Donald Trump for president.
The video featured King's voice saying, 'We will vote for Donald Trump as our president, and we will fight beside him to make America great again.' It also included statements criticizing Democrats for taking Black voters for granted.
Reported impact
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., denounced the video as 'vile, fake, irresponsible, and not at all reflective of what my father would say,' and criticized the account for giving no thought to her family.
Index analysis
The deepfake was created during the 2024 presidential campaign when both parties expressed concern about AI-generated videos influencing voters.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.