AI-Generated Deepfake Video Falsely Claims Coup in France, Reaches 13 Million Views
An AI-generated deepfake video falsely claiming a military coup in France reached 13 million views on Facebook before the company declined to remove it. President Macron reported the video alarmed foreign leaders and criticized Facebook's inaction despite requests from French authorities to take down the content.
What happened
On 10 December, an AI-generated video was posted to Facebook claiming a coup d'état was occurring in France. The deepfake depicted a female journalist with a 'Live 24' microphone reporting that a colonel was leading a coup and that President Emmanuel Macron would fall, with scenes of armed military personnel and a helicopter near the Eiffel Tower in the background.
The initial video reached 13 million views. Three additional versions were subsequently posted with approximately 10 million cumulative views. Facebook added a warning label stating 'Ce contenu peut avoir été créé ou retouché numériquement pour sembler réel' (This content may have been created or edited digitally to appear real).
Reported impact
President Macron reported that an African colleague sent him a message expressing concern: 'Dear president, what is happening at your place? I am very worried.' The video caused international alarm.
Macron indicated concern about potential manipulation and foreign interference ahead of municipal elections in March and the presidential election in 2027.
Index analysis
Macron's office requested that Facebook remove the video, citing violations of public discourse integrity. Facebook declined the removal request, stating 'Ça ne contrevient pas à nos règles d'utilisation' (It does not violate our terms of use). The Élysée stated it had not yet identified the origin of the video or its creators.
Governance controls
Macron stated that even a sitting president with significant authority was unable to compel Facebook to take action against the content, noting 'Ça ne marche pas' (It does not work).
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.