“No One Is Above the Law”: Trump Shares AI‑Generated “Obama Arrest” Clip, Stirring Political Storm

Former U.S. President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm on Truth Social by sharing an AI‑generated deepfake video featuring former President Barack Obama being dramatically arrested by FBI agents inside the Oval Office. The clip begins with real soundbites of Obama and prominent Democrats—including Joe Biden—asserting that “no one is above the law,” before cutting to a fabricated scene of Obama in handcuffs, ending with him behind bars in an orange prison jumpsuit.

Notably, Trump shared the video without a disclaimer, escalating criticism about its misleading nature and the ethical implications of deepfake political content. The footage originally circulated on TikTok and was reshared by Trump amid renewed accusations from Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, who claims she has “striking” evidence that the Obama administration orchestrated a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine Trump's 2016 campaign. Gabbard's leaked documents, she says, are being referred to the DOJ and FBI.

Reaction has been swift and polarized: Trump supporters on social media applauded the clip—one urging, “MAKE THIS A REALITY”—while opponents condemned the deepfake as “deeply irresponsible” misinformation, warning it erodes trust in political discourse.

This incident underscores mounting concerns over the weaponization of artificial intelligence in political messaging. Experts warn that unregulated deepfakes can influence public perception, blur the line between fact and fiction, and destabilize democratic norms.