Deepfake Video Falsely Attributes Gaza Statements to Taylor Swift
A deepfake video falsely attributed statements about the Los Angeles wildfires being divine retribution for US support of Israel in Gaza to singer Taylor Swift. Multiple fact-checkers confirmed the audio and visual content had been manipulated using AI technology and that Swift never made such statements.
What happened
A deepfake video went viral on social media in mid-January 2025 purporting to show Taylor Swift saying the Los Angeles wildfires were 'divine retribution' for the United States' support of Israel in Gaza. The video contained manipulated audio and visual content altered using AI technology.
The original footage was taken from an interview on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' broadcast on November 12, 2021, before the Gaza conflict or LA wildfires occurred. Fact-checkers confirmed Swift had not made any such statement.
Reported impact
The deepfake video was shared across multiple social media platforms with captions claiming Swift had made political statements about Gaza and US foreign policy. The false attribution spread misinformation during the LA wildfires disaster, which caused significant damage and loss of life.
Index analysis
The video's audio was manipulated using AI to create false statements attributed to Swift. The use of footage from a 2021 late-night show interview, combined with fabricated dialogue about Gaza and divine punishment, demonstrates the use of deepfake technology to mislead audiences about a public figure's statements and political views.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.