AI-generated deepfakes of Trump and Epstein spread on social media
AI-generated deepfake images and videos depicting Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein with underage girls spread across social media platforms, generating millions of views. NewsGuard verified that at least seven images and one video were artificially created, though many users believed them to be authentic.
What happened
Fake AI-generated images and videos depicting Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with underage girls spread widely on social media platforms including TikTok, X, and YouTube.
According to NewsGuard, at least seven such images and one video generated more than 7.2 million views, with experts using tools like Hive and IdentifAI confirming the content was AI-created. The deepfakes included videos showing the two figures watching girls dance and images of them sitting or dancing with young girls on Epstein's private island.
Reported impact
Many users spread the material believing it was authentic, blurring the line between fact and fiction amid public discontent over the FBI and Justice Department's July 7 memo stating there was no evidence of an Epstein 'client list.' The emergence of fake images reportedly filled a gap in the public sphere where political tensions and lax moderation controls on social media allowed the deepfakes to proliferate in an election context.
Index analysis
The spread of deepfakes intensified after Trump supporters became frustrated with the government's refusal to release Epstein case files and allegations that Trump's name appeared in official Epstein files.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.