Trump Escalates Jeffries Feud With Second Video
Donald Trump, 2023. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.5.
Donald Trump's Truth Social exploded with controversy after he reportedly posted an AI-generated video showing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sporting a fake sombrero and mustache. The clip, which also featured Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, dropped just days after a tense White House budget meeting that failed to stop the government shutdown now in effect. Reactions and rebuttals quickly followed.
The Video That Set Off a Firestorm
The video wasn't your typical political jab. It used AI to slap a sombrero and mustache on Jeffries, while mariachi music played in the background. Schumer's voice was altered with an AI-generated fake voice, tossing insults at Democrats and immigrants. The timing was striking — the video hit social media hours after Trump met face-to-face with Jeffries, Schumer, and other congressional leaders to hash out a deal to keep the government funded. That meeting ended with "major differences" still on the table, especially over healthcare, according to NPR.
Jeffries, the first Black person to lead a major party in either House of Congress, fired back on X, posting a photo of himself and Schumer from the day's events. His message was clear: "Bigotry will get you nowhere... we are NOT backing down," as reported by PEOPLE. The post framed the moment as a stand against what many saw as a racially charged attack.
Trump Doubles Down With AI Mockery
This wasn't Trump's first AI stunt in recent days. Just two days earlier, he shared a fake video promoting a nonexistent "medbed" healthcare technology, which he later deleted, as reported by PEOPLE. That clip featured an AI-generated Fox News segment with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump hyping a "historic new healthcare system."
On Sept. 30, Trump posted yet another AI video — this time a clip of Jeffries' MSNBC interview criticizing the original sombrero video, but with the same fake mustache and sombrero added. The clip also showed four versions of Trump playing mariachi music, as Jeffries spoke. The move kept the spotlight on the caricature and amped up the tension during the government funding standoff.
Jeffries Calls Out the President
Jeffries didn't hold back. At a House Democratic press conference, he challenged Trump to confront him directly rather than "cop out" with AI videos, as reported by POLITICO. On MSNBC, he downplayed the clips but said the country needs a president focused on "doing his job" rather than on "racist or bigoted stereotypes" meant to distract Democrats from their work.
Schumer, also featured in the manipulated video, didn't issue a direct statement but stood visibly with Jeffries in the photo posted on X, signaling unity. Aides confirmed the video was fabricated and not real footage.
The Fallout
The AI video and Trump's follow-up posts have dominated headlines and social feeds. Jeffries' defiant message on X struck a chord with many who saw the video as more than just political satire. His words, "Bigotry will get you nowhere... we are NOT backing down," came across as a rallying cry against what some viewed as an attempt to intimidate.
Meanwhile, Trump's repeated posting of the video and its variations kept the controversy alive. According to POLITICO, photos from the White House meeting reportedly showed Trump pointing at Jeffries with a sneer, adding to the spectacle.
This episode highlights how AI is becoming a new weapon in political battles, blurring lines between satire, provocation, and offense. It also underscores the bitter divisions gripping Washington as the government remains partially closed and the political drama plays out in real time.
For now, the shutdown drags on, and the AI-fueled feud between Trump and Democratic leaders shows no signs of cooling off.
References: Donald Trump Posts Racist AI Video of Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries | Trump posts another deepfake video mocking Jeffries | government shutdown midnight
