US President Donald Trump has continued to employ AI-generated images and scenes in his posts on his platform "Truth Social", in a move that has raised growing questions about the goals of this intensive use of modern digital technologies.
While some of the publications, according to analysts of the American Washington Post, seem more like satirical memes or entertainment content, researchers and experts believe that it is more than just drawing attention to an integrated political and media strategy aimed at shaping the image of the president in the minds of his supporters and the public.
Exceptional Images
According to US researchers, Trump has published dozens of AI-generated images over the past months, some of which appeared alongside American historical figures or in the form of a dominant military commander, while others carried direct political messages related to his foreign positions and political ambitions.
One photo showed Trump on a horseback alongside the first US president, George Washington, while the White House and a race car appeared to be in the background.
He also appeared in another photo over Greenland with a welcome message, alluding to his previous statements regarding the island. In another post, he wore a gold shield amid a military scene featuring warships and fighter jets, reinforcing the image of power and dominance he seeks to consolidate.
Image Making
According to the Washington Post, these posts are not just transient digital content, but are part of a systematic process of building Trump's political brand.
Todd Bilt, director of the Political Affairs Department program at George Washington University, explained that the US president faces complex files related to foreign policy and economic conditions, which prompts him to intensify positive messages that highlight his character as a strong and controlling leader.
Bildt argues that flooding the media space with engaging and controversial images helps keep Trump at the center of public attention, even in periods when his administration faces political or economic challenges.
Distraction
A legal consultant at the American group "Free Press" said that the repeated use of artificial intelligence is also part of a strategy aimed at redirecting public discussions away from sensitive issues.
Focusing on symbolic or controversial images gives the media and the public new material for discussion, which could lighten the focus on issues that affect Americans' lives, such as inflation, the rising cost of living, fuel prices, or foreign military developments.
Some of the photos posted by Trump have drawn widespread criticism, including a photo in which he appeared in the form of Christ before being later deleted, reflecting the ability of these posts to stir up controversy and attract media interaction.
Arouse emotions
Analysts pointed out that Trump's visual messages are primarily aimed at his grassroots base, through a rhetoric that relies more on sensationalism and symbolism than traditional narrative of facts.
Corey Albert, a researcher at the University of Melbourne, explained that the impact of these images is not so much related to their accuracy or realism as it is to their ability to stimulate emotions and reinforce preconvictions in the recipients. According to this perception, followers are not always looking for the abstract truth, but rather for the narrative that is in line with their political perceptions and intellectual identity.
Researchers have linked the escalation of the use of artificial intelligence in Trump's publications to political preparations for the upcoming US midterm elections, which are an important test for the Republican Party.
Walter Shearer, a researcher at the University of Notre Dame, said the administration is aware of the importance of this election and the stakes it carries in maintaining political influence in Congress. In this sense, AI-generated images could be an additional tool to highlight what the administration sees as political and economic achievements, and to try to influence voters' mood before heading to the polls.
Impact Testing
This visual campaign coincided with signs of Trump's popularity declining compared to previous levels, increasing the importance of new media tools in the battle for political influence.
The question remains whether AI-generated images and scenes are actually capable of changing voter behavior or boosting the popularity of the US president, or whether they will remain merely propaganda tools with limited impact, but what is certain, according to observers, is that the battle of American politics is no longer fought only through election speeches and platforms, but is also being waged through carefully designed digital images and visual messages.
Recent years have seen a radical shift in the use of AI in political campaigns around the world, with generative technologies capable of producing high-quality images, videos, and visual content in a matter of seconds.
As these tools have become more prevalent, there have been growing fears that they could be used to influence public opinion and create political narratives. In the United States, the controversy has been particularly prominent as major election entitlements approach, with digital platforms becoming a major arena for politicians to compete for attention and support, while regulators and experts continue to warn of the dangers of confusing reality with digitally generated content.