AI-generated videos have taken the internet by storm, and the latest from Donald Trump is no exception. Late Tuesday evening, Trump shared a controversial clip showcasing his ambitious vision of Gaza transformed from war-torn ruins to a luxurious vacation destination. This virally popular video quickly amassed over 30 million views on his Instagram account, sparking fervent discussions worldwide.
The 33-second video features children transitioning from devastated landscapes to pristine beaches dotted with skyscrapers. Notably, it includes scenes of Elon Musk joyfully tossing banknotes on the shore, alongside representations of high-end luxury such as yachts and lavish parties. Trump himself makes appearances enjoying cocktails with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Accompanying this bizarre montage is music—also seemingly generated by artificial intelligence—proclaiming the bright future of 'Trump Gaza.'
Experts suggest the video's release may be aimed at embedding the idea of Gaza as a new Riviera within the public consciousness. According to Jean-Michel Berthiaume, semiology PhD student and lecturer at UQAM, the video exemplifies what is being termed as "AI slop," referring to synthetic images commonly produced by AI technology. "It's surprisingly impure and captures attention precisely because we know it's not real," Berthiaume commented. This awareness doesn't outweigh the impression it leaves, as it plants ideas before viewers proactively realize the fiction.
Notably, Trump had previously stirred global backlash with his proposal for Gaza to become the 'Riviera of the Middle East,' declaring intentions to create vast employment opportunities there. "We will develop it and create thousands and thousands of jobs," he stated. Mireille Lalancette, political communication professor at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, views the AI video as solidifying this proposal, stating it frames the concept within reality and normalizes Trump's audacious claims by repeated presentation.
This video aligns with other high-profile instances of political narratives being propelled through artificial means. Bridgman, director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory at McGill University, explained, “It’s not necessarily about deceiving people but creating buzz.” Merging humor and shock via AI-generated content appears to be Trump's media strategy, repeatable across his projects ranging from the potential annexation of Canada to this latest Gaza vision.
The shockwaves of the video have reached far beyond its initial posting, receiving criticism for being insensitive to the dire reality many residents face. Nasser Abou Hadaid, a 60-year-old from Khan Younis, criticized Trump's portrayal, saying, "This video shows complete ignorance of our culture. People everywhere oppose such plans; Gaza won’t become another touristic backdrop like Italy or Spain.”
Young advocate Manal Abu Seif echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “Trump views Gaza as merely capital and investment opportunity devoid of humanity. All we desire are houses rebuilt, freedom, and employment for the youth, not playing ground for tourism."
The backdrop of this contentious character is particularly glaring as Gaza is currently enmeshed in political strife, following over 15 months of conflict between Hamas and Israel. Trump's continued pursuit to portray Gaza as his envisioned utopia could bring more turmoil, particularly as international diplomacy remains fragile following ceasefire efforts initiated earlier this year.
Despite the international uproar and backlash from numerous quarters, Trump remains unabashed. His engagement with AI-generated content appears malleable, allowing him to reshape narratives around controversial ideas dramatically. The surreal aesthetics of AI serve to criticize and manifest unconventional political agendas, raising the question of boundaries when technology meets political campaigning.
The video invites discussion on the ramifications of merging creativity and AI within the political sphere. Will such techniques manipulate public perception? Or will they inspire more outraged skepticism? One thing is clear: Trump's AI-generated vision for Gaza is not just footage but part of a larger strategy to distill drama and provoke dialogue about his ambitious, albeit contentious proposals.