AI Deepfakes of Trump Aimed at Misleading Audiences in Kenya and Nigeria

The recent surge in the use of AI-generated deepfake videos has raised significant concerns globally, as these manipulative tools are being weaponized to spread misinformation. With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, deepfake videos featuring his likeness have proliferated across social media, targeting countries such as Kenya and Nigeria. These videos, which falsely depict Trump making inflammatory or directive statements, have gone viral, prompting alarm over their potential impact on public opinion, governance, and international relations.

In Kenya, deepfake videos featuring Trump surfaced amidst a backdrop of tension following a series of alleged state-sanctioned abductions of government critics. Hundreds of young people remain missing since anti-government protests in June, creating an environment of fear and unrest. On December 28, a Kenyan TikTok content creator with approximately 20,000 followers shared a video of a fabricated Trump warning Kenya about potential U.S. aid cuts if the abductions continued. This video garnered over 357,000 views on TikTok before spreading to other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), where it reached close to 200,000 views.

The deepfake, while amateur in quality—with mismatched lip movements, body motion, and a White House logo used out of context—was still perceived as authentic by many viewers. In the video, the fake Trump threatens to suspend U.S. financial assistance and influence international institutions like the IMF to halt loans to Kenya. Despite clear indications of manipulation, many Kenyans welcomed what they believed was Trump’s intervention, viewing it as support for the victims of abduction. Others, however, pointed out the inconsistencies and labeled the video as a fabrication.

The U.S. government, for its part, has not issued any such statement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was the last senior U.S. official to address Kenya’s abduction issue on November 7, urging Kenyan President William Ruto to ensure accountability for security forces allegedly involved. On December 28, Ruto publicly pledged to end state-sanctioned abductions, emphasizing the need for peace and cooperation in rebuilding Kenya. Nigeria, too, has been affected by a similar wave of deepfake videos featuring Trump. On November 15, a viral clip shared by a Nigeria-based X user claimed Trump was announcing changes to U.S.-Nigeria immigration policy. The deepfake depicted Trump discouraging Nigerians from emigrating by announcing visa restrictions, suggesting this would encourage professionals to remain in their homeland. This video amassed over 871,000 views on X, originating, like the Kenyan deepfake, on TikTok.

In another fabricated video, Trump is falsely shown calling for the release of Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism charges related to his advocacy for the secession of southeastern Nigeria. In the manipulated footage, the deepfake Trump demands Kanu’s release, threatening to cut U.S. medical, financial, and humanitarian aid to Nigeria if his demands are not met by November 31, 2024—a date that does not even exist. Despite the implausible elements, the video circulated widely, leveraging authentic footage from Trump’s prior presidency to enhance credibility.

These incidents reflect a broader trend of AI-driven misinformation campaigns that exploit global political contexts. In 2024, NPR reported a worldwide surge in AI-generated political memes and deepfakes, with significant implications. In Indonesia, a political party used deepfake technology to resurrect long-deceased dictator Suharto for a campaign ad, while in India, manipulated deepfake videos played a pivotal role in influencing voter behavior during national elections. In the United States, Trump’s political campaign actively employed AI-generated memes, underscoring the normalization of this technology in political discourse.

The growing prevalence of deepfakes poses urgent questions about their societal and geopolitical implications. In countries like Kenya and Nigeria, where governance challenges intersect with public distrust, these videos can amplify tensions, spread disinformation, and undermine democratic processes. On a global scale, they highlight the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, public awareness campaigns, and technological solutions to counteract the spread of deepfake content. As AI technology continues to evolve, its misuse in creating realistic yet fraudulent media underscores the critical importance of digital literacy and verification tools. Governments, social media platforms, and civil society must collaborate to combat the proliferation of deepfake videos and mitigate their potentially destabilizing effects.