Iranian agency publishes AI-generated video depicting Trump being shot
The Iranian state semi-official news agency Fars published an AI-generated animated video on July 13, 2026, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump being shot and killed. The video was shared on social media and sparked discussion about the use of artificial intelligence for political propaganda during a period of heightened Iran-U.S. tensions.
What happened
The Iranian semi-official news agency Fars published an AI-generated animated video on July 13, 2026, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump being shot. In the animation, Trump enters a store, pushes an elderly woman, and mocks a child before being pursued by hooded figures. Trump then slips on a banana peel, falls, and is shot by a man, with the video ending with the text 'The bill comes due' in English and Persian.
Reported impact
The video was shared widely on social media and digital platforms. The incident has reignited discussion about the use of artificial intelligence to create political propaganda and contentious content, particularly during a period of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.
Index analysis
The video represents a use of generative AI technology to create synthetic media depicting violence against a real political figure. Experts have noted that such AI-generated animations can achieve increasing realism and reach millions of people rapidly.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.