AI-Generated Video Impersonates Ex-President Macri in Argentine Election
An AI-generated video falsely depicting ex-President Mauricio Macri announcing the withdrawal of a political candidate circulated on social media during Argentine legislative elections on May 18, 2025. Macri publicly condemned the video as a deepfake and fraud attempt, accusing officials associated with La Libertad Avanza of distributing it.
What happened
An AI-generated video circulated on social media during CABA legislative elections on May 18, 2025, showing an artificial image of ex-President Mauricio Macri. The video depicted him announcing the withdrawal of candidate Silvia Lospennato's candidacy and calling voters to support Adorni.
The video was distributed through accounts affiliated with La Libertad Avanza. Macri described the incident as 'a thing of crazy people' and denounced it as 'a digital fraud attempt' at the PRO's traditional pre-election breakfast at Café Tortoni.
Reported impact
Macri stated the video distribution 'breaks all the rules' and that in 20 years of political involvement he had never needed to address a fraud attempt on election morning.
Index analysis
Macri accused Santiago Caputo, whom he described as the most powerful man in President Milei's government, of posting these 'fake videos made with AI,' along with accounts of users including those known as 'el Gordo Dan' and 'Álvarez'.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.