Former President Donald Trump has found himself at the center of controversy again due to a viral image that purports to show him serving in the U.S. military. The image, widely shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), depicts Trump wearing a military uniform and helmet while leading a group of soldiers.
Nonetheless, a review using Hive Moderation technology suggests a strong possibility that the image was produced by artificial intelligence (AI). The assessment indicates the likelihood of the photo being crafted with the Midjourney program. Such a finding throws the genuineness of the image into question and prompts inquiries about its provenance.
The picture hasn’t been acknowledged in any recent reputable news articles concerning the ex-President. Trump hasn’t made any public statements about it via his website or his new social media outlet, TRUTH Social. These elements further diminish the image’s validity and imply it might be an intentional effort to misinform or mislead.
Donald Trump did not participate in the U.S. military. He received a medical deferment during the Vietnam-era draft, attributed to bone spurs in his heels. This detail, as reported by The Atlantic and referenced by The New York Times, underscores the contentious nature and longstanding scrutiny of Trump’s military service record.
Dr. Walter Scheirer, a specialist in media forensics and AI from the University of Notre Dame offered his expertise to verify the legitimacy of the widespread image. Communicating with the fact-checking group Check Your Fact, Scheirer identified the image as one created by AI, displaying the usual amalgamated style typical of generative AI. He pointed out that while Trump is depicted as he currently looks, the military attire in the picture harks back to earlier 20th-century conflicts. Scheirer concluded that the image resembles a satirical political illustration more than a realistic photo.
Check Your Fact has reached out to a spokesperson for Donald Trump for comment on the image and will update their report accordingly if a response is received. The investigation into the origins and intentions behind the viral image continues, highlighting the importance of verifying information in the age of AI-generated content and social media.
