Trump’s second-term playbook: Fake news, AI and attacks on his critics

Donald Trump could be credited with popularising the term "fake news", but his own presidency has been riddled with numerous false claims, conspiracy theories and misleading content. In this special fact-checking segment, Vedika Bahl examines his Trump's second term: his consistent attacks on political opponents, use of AI-generated images to glorify himself and push political narratives, and what happens when journalists challenge him.

Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the media of spreading “fake news”. But since returning to the White House, the US president has continued to make false and misleading claims himself, while increasingly using artificial intelligence to attack political opponents, promote his agenda and glorify his own image.

From recycling conspiracy theories about the 2020 election to making misleading claims about immigration and foreign conflicts, Trump's second term has seen a steady stream of disputed statements and online attacks, particularly attacks against his political rivals or those who disagree with him.

One of his most frequent targets has been his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump has repeatedly referred to the former president as “Crooked Joe” or “Sleepy Joe”, blamed him for a range of political problems and shared AI-generated images negatively depicting him. A Reuters review found that Trump mentioned his predecessor around 900 times between returning to office and September 2026.

Former president Barack Obama has also been a frequent target. Trump came under widespread criticism after sharing a racist AI-generated video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, later claiming he "didn't see" that part of the clip.

Other figures targeted by the president include Democratic politicians Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as foreign politicians: like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after Trump shared an AI-edited image appearing to show her gazing adoringly at him.

Even Pope Leo has been drawn into Trump's online attacks. In a late-night Truth Social rant, the US president criticised the pontiff as “weak on crime”, questioned his positions and said he preferred the Pope's brother due to his MAGA stance.

AI as a political tool

Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly prominent feature of Trump's digital presence. The president has shared a series of AI-generated images and videos glorifying himself, portraying himself as everything from a king and Superman to the Pope. Some of the posts have been designed to mock his opponents. One depicted Trump dropping excrement on protesters taking part in the “No Kings” demonstrations.

Among the most controversial was an image showing Trump in a Jesus-like pose, apparently healing a sick man in a hospital bed. The post prompted criticism from Christians and Catholic conservatives, including some of his own supporters.Trump rejected comparisons with Jesus, blaming the “fake news media” for the controversy and saying he thought it was "him as a doctor".

AI-generated content has also been used to reinforce his political messaging.

Trump has repeatedly blamed immigration for problems in the United States, including falsely claiming that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs. There was no credible evidence to support the allegation, which spread widely during the 2024 presidential campaign. He later shared an AI-generated video of himself embracing cats and dogs.

The president has also used misleading claims about other countries to promote his political agenda. He has blamed unrest in France on Muslim immigrants, despite the lack of evidence supporting that explanation. On birthright citizenship, Trump has falsely claimed that the United States is the only country to grant citizenship to people born on its territory. In fact, the principle exists across much of the Americas.

He has also repeatedly promoted claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa, allegations that lack credible evidence. During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Trump presented images and material he claimed supported his allegations. Some of the material was misleadingly presented, including an article showing events in the Democratic Republic of Congo rather than South Africa.

AI has also featured in Trump's messaging about the Middle East. Shortly after proposing a US takeover of Gaza and the displacement of its Palestinian population, he shared an AI-generated video depicting the devastated territory transformed into a luxury seaside resort called “Trump Gaza”. The clip showed Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk.

The White House and other official government accounts have increasingly joined in, sharing AI-generated images and memes of their own, including content making light of immigration enforcement operations. In response to criticism, the White House said: “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can't post banger memes.”

Attacks on journalists and fact-checkers

Journalists who challenge Trump's statements have also faced repeated attacks from the president.

He has frequently accused news organisations of publishing “fiction or lies” about him. More recently, he sought to restrict CNN, Politico and MS NOW's access to the White House, accusing the outlets of repeatedly reporting falsehoods.

His attacks on individual reporters have sometimes been personal. In one Truth Social video, Trump called a female Bloomberg journalist “piggy” after she questioned him about the Jeffrey Epstein files.

He has also dismissed challenges to his claims during interviews. In an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, Trump was asked to provide evidence for his allegation that California's mayoral race was rigged. Rather than substantiate the claim, he made further false assertions before walking out. 

Since returning to office, Trump has continued to rely on many of the falsehoods and conspiracy theories that featured during his first presidency, while routinely dismissing unfavourable coverage as “fake news”. His second term though has a new dimension: his growing use of AI-generated imagery to attack critics and push his narratives.