Image Credit: Twitter screenshot 
A Twitter account run by staffers of GOP presidential contender Ron DeSantis came under fire Thursday after releasing a presidential campaign ad disingenuously using AI generated images to depict President Donald Trump schmoozing with Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The images appeared in an ad disseminated on Twitter by the DeSantis War Room Monday slamming Trump for not firing the longtime NIAID director blamed for nationwide lockdowns and Covid mandates sooner.
Donald Trump became a household name by FIRING countless people *on television*
But when it came to Fauci… pic.twitter.com/7Lxwf75NQm
— DeSantis War Room
(@DeSantisWarRoom) June 5, 2023
At one point the ad features the words “REAL LIFE TRUMP” and displays 6 images on screen, 3 real images of the former president in close proximity to Fauci, alongside 3 dubious images of Trump planting kisses on and hugging Fauci.
The deception was first called out by AFP in a fact check that concluded the images were indeed fabricated.
Three of the photos are authentic, showing the men together in March 2020. Photographers for Getty Images, the National Institutes of Health and Reuters captured the shots (archived here, here and here).
But the other pictures, purportedly of Trump kissing Fauci’s cheek three different times, have the hallmarks of AI-generated imagery.
“It was sneaky to intermix what appears to be authentic photos with fake photos, but these three images are almost certainly AI generated,” said Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and expert in digital forensics, misinformation and image analysis.
Voters on social media were disturbed by the DeSantis team’s deceptive use of AI to sway public opinion.
“Holy fuck this is dirty as shit,” commented podcast host Tim Pool. “This crosses the line.”
“Complete and utter Biden level scumbaggery,” Pool added.
Stage 5: Desperation.
DeSantis campaign is imploding.
— Henry (@HenryBack2Play) June 8, 2023
Where’s the private group of DeSantis community noters on this one?
— Chief Trumpster (@ChiefTrumpster) June 8, 2023
Have you guys considered trying to get Trump voters to like you? You can keep going scorched earth and win the rinos but we don’t need the rinos to win. If you want to keep playing like this you are going to solidify support for Trump from people who might have jumped ship.
— Sam
(@SamMoline1) June 8, 2023
If you guys thinking that you’re helping DeSantis you are NOT.
He had my vote for 2028 but because of people like you he have lost it. It’s truly sad how you guys become the right hand of Democratic Party.— I Meme Therefore I Am
(@ImMeme0) June 8, 2023
Holy. Sh*t. @GovRonDeSantis’s @DeSantisWarRoom is using AI generated images of Trump hugging Fauci?????
It’s 2024 season. It’s gonna be wild.
(Zoom in… AI couldn’t get the WH moniker correct) https://t.co/J1KianYW43 pic.twitter.com/0CGaKQUz7O
— CannCon (@CannConActual) June 8, 2023
Bottom of the barrel scum for using AI generated content. You are no different than the Left.
— Woke Societies (@wokesocieties) June 8, 2023
This clip reeks desperation.
It smells like a bad poll came out or something— miguelifornia (@miguelifornia) June 5, 2023
Meanwhile, some DeSantis supporters tried to claim a photoshop image of DeSantis riding a rhinoceros shared by Trump on Truth Social was equally dishonest.
Why aren’t you calling Trump out for tweeting fake photos?
Don’t be a hypocrite. pic.twitter.com/SMPsKhgvpc
— Proud Elephant
(@ProudElephantUS) June 8, 2023
Tech site The Verge explained the “‘DeSantis War Room’ Twitter account was launched last August by DeSantis’ political aide Christina Pushaw.”
The Florida governor’s War Room, tasked with rapid response to DeSantis controversies, and the Twitter Community Notes team, rumored to be mostly staffed by DeSantis supporters, have yet to issue responses to the disingenuous attack ad.
Indeed, the age of dirty political tricks via AI is upon us.