Donald Trump shares AI video of Barack Obama’s fictional arrest

On July 20, 2025, during a period of significant scrutiny surrounding his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, Donald Trump posted a controversial AI-generated video on his Truth Social account. The video portrayed former President Barack Obama being arrested by law enforcement in a dramatized setting, using real footage from their 2016 meeting in the Oval Office. This action seemingly aligned with recent allegations made by Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, who accused Obama and his administration of orchestrating a 'treasonous conspiracy' to undermine Trump's presidential victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Gabbard's remarks came during an appearance on Fox News, where she claimed that various Obama administration officials supposedly fabricated intelligence to substantiate claims of Russian interference in the election, which Trump had previously dismissed as a hoax. She asserted that over 100 released documents demonstrate how a conspiracy against Trump was allegedly led by Obama just weeks before leaving office. Gabbard indicated her intent to refer these allegations to the FBI and the Department of Justice for potential prosecution. The response to Trump’s video was mixed; while his supporters viewed it as a humorous distraction, critics characterized it as desperate and an attempt to shift attention away from pressing issues, particularly the Epstein case. Social media users expressed disbelief, calling the video “totally insane,” as it depicted a fictional arrest during a serious political discussion. The video ended with a digital image of an incarcerated Obama dressed in an orange jumpsuit, accompanied by the upbeat song 'YMCA' by The Village People, which has become an informal anthem for Trump. Gabbard’s accusations of a coup and the promotion of the video suggested an escalation in the ongoing political conflicts surrounding the two figures. As Trump continued to face backlash regarding the Epstein files, responses from political rivals indicated they were unfazed by his attempts to blame Democrats for perceived accountability issues, particularly regarding the fallout from Epstein's actions. This ongoing narrative has implications for the political landscape in the United States, with both Trump and Gabbard positioning themselves in a narrative that seeks to rally support while simultaneously discrediting their opponents.