President Donald Trump is again using artificial intelligence as a political weapon, this time sharing a video that portrays him as a doctor treating celebrity critics for what his allies call “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The AI-generated video, posted on Trump’s social media account, presents a fictional medical-style scene in which “Dr. Trump” claims to treat well-known entertainers who have publicly criticized him. The fabricated video reportedly includes AI versions of Rosie O’Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts and Edward Norton.
The clip uses the format of a mock testimonial ad, showing fake versions of Trump critics describing frustration, anger and emotional distress before being “cured” by Trump’s advice. The AI version of Trump, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, recommends turning off “fake news,” praying and drinking Diet Coke.
The phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is not a medical diagnosis. It is a political insult commonly used by Trump and his supporters to suggest that criticism of him is irrational or obsessive. Critics say the phrase is used to dismiss legitimate concerns about Trump’s conduct, policies and rhetoric.
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Rosie O’Donnell, one of the celebrities targeted in the video, rejected the portrayal and responded sharply. She said her view of Trump had not changed and called for his removal from office under the 25th Amendment. Trump and O’Donnell have had a long-running public feud dating back many years.
The White House defended the post as part of Trump’s right to political expression. Officials did not appear to confirm whether the celebrities shown in the AI-generated video had given permission for their likenesses to be used.
That uncertainty is one of the biggest issues raised by the video. AI-generated political content is becoming more realistic, easier to produce and harder for ordinary viewers to quickly separate from authentic footage. In this case, the video was clearly framed as satire for Trump’s supporters, but it still used recognizable public figures in fabricated scenes.
The use of celebrity likenesses also raises questions about consent, reputation and political manipulation. Public figures have fewer privacy protections than ordinary citizens, but AI tools can now create videos that make people appear to say or endorse things they never said. That creates legal and ethical challenges that U.S. law is still struggling to address.
Trump has repeatedly shared AI-generated images and videos to promote himself or mock opponents. Previous posts have depicted him in religious or royal imagery, while other AI content has sparked backlash from critics who said it crossed lines of taste, race or faith. The latest video fits into a broader strategy: using provocative online content to dominate attention and energize supporters.
For Trump’s base, the clip may be viewed as humor and political trolling. For critics, it is another example of the president normalizing deepfake-style content in a political environment already filled with misinformation and mistrust.
The larger concern is not only this specific video. It is what happens when AI-generated political content becomes routine. Campaigns, influencers and political accounts can now create fake speeches, fake interviews, fake endorsements and fake emotional reactions at low cost. Even when content is meant as parody, it can blur the line between satire and deception.
For voters, that means media literacy will become more important. People may need to check whether a video is real, AI-generated, edited or taken out of context before sharing it. For lawmakers and platforms, the question is whether political AI content should require clearer labels, especially when it uses real people’s faces or voices.
Trump’s AI “doctor” video may be designed as a joke, but it points to a serious campaign-year problem: political persuasion is entering an era where fake video can look real enough to shape public opinion.
Why It Matters
This matters because AI-generated political content can influence voters, damage reputations and make it harder for the public to know what is real. When a sitting president shares fabricated videos of critics, it gives deepfake-style content more political legitimacy.
It also affects ordinary people because the same technology used on celebrities today can be used against local candidates, activists, journalists or private citizens tomorrow. Without clear rules, AI can become a powerful tool for harassment, manipulation and misinformation.
What Comes Next
Expect more AI-generated political content as the midterm campaign intensifies. Trump is likely to keep using provocative digital posts to attack opponents and drive online attention.
Lawmakers, courts and social media platforms may face growing pressure to require clearer AI labels, protect likeness rights and set stronger rules for synthetic political media. The key question is whether regulation can keep up with technology before deepfakes become even harder to detect.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2026
