Washington: Taylor Swift did not endorse Donald Trump, nor did Lady Gaga or Morgan Freeman, despite widespread social media claims. As the 2024 US presidential race heats up, fake celebrity endorsements and rejections, many created using AI-generated images, have been flooding platforms, misleading voters. Both Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic rival Kamala Harris are facing false testimonies, with manipulated photos and videos proliferating across platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Researchers have flagged dozens of posts that falsely depict American celebrities endorsing political candidates, including a manipulated image of Lady Gaga holding a “Trump 2024” sign and another of Bruce Springsteen wearing a “Keep America Trumpless” shirt. These doctored visuals are designed to sway public opinion, particularly on social media where misinformation thrives due to reduced content moderation.
Trump’s recent doctored post claiming Taylor Swift’s support on Truth Social has drawn attention, combining real and fake imagery to create a believable false narrative. This prompted Swift to publicly endorse Kamala Harris and denounce the AI-driven spread of misinformation, which she fears will become more dangerous as the technology evolves.
Experts warn that platforms like X, which have reduced moderation, are allowing disinformation to reach millions, with AI making it increasingly difficult to detect fakes. As misinformation spreads, experts worry it could manipulate voters, especially among those unfamiliar with AI technology.
