AI-Generated Avatars Flood the Internet Promoting Trump as Midterms Loom
As the U.S. midterm elections approach, a new and unusual force is shaping political conversations online: AI-generated influencers. These digital characters, designed to look like real people, are increasingly appearing across social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, where they promote Donald Trump and his political message while attacking his opponents. The avatars are often highly realistic. Many are shown as young women or men, sometimes dressed in military uniforms or patriotic outfits. They post short videos and captions praising Trump, repeating slogans linked to his political movement, and encouraging users to show support. At first glance, they…