“Deranged” AI Video of Obama Being Arrested Posted by Trump, 79

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On July 21, 2025, Donald Trump, now 79, shared an unsettling video on Truth Social. It falsely portrays former President Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office by FBI agents, then shown in an orange jail jumpsuit behind bars. The clip played the Village People’s “YMCA” and even featured Pepe the Frog, a symbol tied to alt‑right culture.

The video began with real footage of Obama and other Democrats affirming, No one is above the law.” Then it cut to the deepfake: Obama kneeling, handcuffed, and smirking, Trump watching it all unfold. Trump added a caption: “No one is above the law.” He did not notice that it was fake.

The post came just after accusations from Trump’s ally, Tulsi Gabbard, claiming that Obama’s team manipulated intelligence to target Trump in 2016. Critics began to ask: Is this clever satire, or a dangerous step into digital disinformation?

Inside the AI Video

We see firsthand how deepfake tech works. The video merges clips of Obama and Trump in the Oval Office. Then, CGI FBI agents enter. Obama is handcuffed and led away. Later, we glimpse him in prison attire, all under the “YMCA” beat.

We can’t ignore how realistic it looks. AI tools now craft scenes that seem true. But this is fiction. Still, without warning labels, it could mislead many.

Trump’s History with Digital Propaganda

This is not Trump’s first digital stunt. He’s shared Meme-laden posts before. In 2019, he shared a modified video showing him wrestling a figure with a CNN logo. He’s also used AI clips before, for instance, an AI-spiced Biden ad.

He often defends such content as “free speech.” But deepfakes like this one cross a new line. They don’t just mock, they mislead. And we’re seeing more of them as the next election nears.

Trump’s “No One Is Above the Law” Post Fuels Deepfake Controversy

Trump’s Truth Social post added even more weight to the controversy. He shared the AI-generated arrest video with the caption: “No one is above the law.” He made no mention that the clip was manipulated, leaving readers to assume it reflected real events. By offering no clarification, Trump blurred the line between satire and misinformation, especially given his huge influence and audience.

Could this video be illegal? Possibly. It’s defamation if it harms Obama’s reputation. The U.S. still lacks clear federal rules on political deepfakes. However, in May 2025, Trump approved the “Take It Down Act” into law. This law bans non-consensual intimate AI content and charges platforms to act fast. Yet it doesn’t cover political videos.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act may shield Truth Social, but that shield is weakening. New proposals are in play to force platforms to label AI content or face fines.

The Ethics of Political Deepfakes

We must ask: Is it okay to portray fake criminal scenes? We argue it’s not. Fictional arrests of real leaders destroy trust. If people start believing these videos, how do we know what’s true?

AI-generated deepfakes have the power to influence public opinion and heighten social tensions. With elections approaching, these clips are dangerous. Experts believe they could manipulate voters. If reality becomes fiction, democracy suffers.

Rise of AI‑Generated Political Content

We’re in a deepfake arms race. AI tools like Sora and Runway let anyone make videos. In South Korea’s 2024 election, one study found 129 deepfake violations in two weeks. Generative tools are easy to use. But detecting fakes is hard.

We need watermark rules. We need clear labels:“ This is AI‑generated.” Some platforms already test these. But more regulation is urgent.

What Happens Next?

Will this clip stay online? It might get removed. Truth Social could flag it. Or even be fined under new rules.

Could laws tighten? Likely. The next Congress may pass bills to require AI content labeling. The FCC or FTC may also jump in.

But enforcement matters. Platforms must comply. And politicians must rethink deepfake stunts, or face harm to public trust.

Conclusion

Trump’s deepfake of Obama shows how technology evolves faster than our rules. We’re moving into a time when what we see can’t always be trusted. Political deepfakes can mislead millions and shift power.

We must act now. Platforms need standards. Lawmakers need clear laws. Voters need media literacy. Because if political deepfakes win, truth loses, and democracy does too.

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