Former President Donald Trump is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s not for a campaign rally or a policy speech.
Instead, a new AI-generated video he shared on social media is causing a stir.
The video, which has quickly gone viral, transforms disturbing war imagery from Gaza into what looks like a cheery resort advertisement.
US President Donald Trump’s official social media accounts posted an apparently AI-generated video depicting war-ravaged Gaza rebuilt into a seaside resort, replete with a towering golden statue of himself: https://t.co/ns9fbkQDXG pic.twitter.com/dvWEd3bCFO
— The Australian (@australian) February 26, 2025
The video, first reported by NPR on February 26, was posted on X (formerly Twitter) and has since spread like wildfire across social media platforms, including Instagram.
It features AI-altered scenes of Gaza, with bombed-out buildings magically replaced by luxury hotels and sandy beaches. The soundtrack is upbeat, and the narration feels like a classic travel ad, inviting viewers to “experience the new Gaza.”
As you might expect, reactions have been… mixed.
Many supporters of Trump saw the video as a form of sharp-edged satire, a not-so-subtle dig at the Biden administration’s handling of foreign policy and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Critics, however, were not amused. Some argued that the video was in poor taste, trivializing the real suffering of people in Gaza.
The controversy helped the video rack up tens of millions of views within 24 hours.
The debate over its intent—whether it was meant as satire or mere provocation—became one of the top trending topics on X.
Memes and parodies started popping up almost immediately, with some leaning into the absurdity and others pushing back against what they saw as a serious misstep by Trump.
This isn’t the first time Trump has used bold, and sometimes polarizing, media to get his message across. He’s known for his unfiltered social media posts and his willingness to challenge the status quo.
To his supporters, this video is just another example of Trump’s ability to speak truths others won’t. But to his critics, it’s yet another example of him going too far.
The use of AI to create such videos also raises new questions.
Should there be limits on how AI technology is used in political messaging?
Is this a creative way to make a point, or a dangerous step into misinformation?
These are questions that, like many things in today’s world, depend on where you stand politically.
For some, the video might be seen as a bold exercise of First Amendment rights. After all, satire has a long history in American culture, from political cartoons to late-night comedy shows.
But as technology makes it easier to create hyper-realistic videos, it also becomes harder for viewers to tell what’s real and what’s not.
What’s clear is that Trump knows how to get people talking.
Whether you loved or hated the video, you probably watched it—and in the world of social media, that’s half the battle.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
