U.S. President Donald Trump is facing scrutiny after a video statement on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk displayed unusual glitches, prompting viewers to suspect it was generated with artificial intelligence.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Wednesday, September 10, during an event at Utah Valley University.
Highlights
- Trump’s video on Charlie Kirk’s assassination showed hand glitches, sparking suspicion it was AI-generated or digitally manipulated.
- YouTube analysis detailed frame-by-frame finger and sleeve shifts, suggesting AI or video editing with glitches in Trump’s video.
- TikTok editor Brian Alldridge argues glitches result from ‘morph cut’ video editing software, not AI generation.
Authorities said the political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA was struck in the neck by a single bullet fired from a nearby roof. A manhunt is underway for the suspected shooter.
Viewers suspect Trump's video statement was generated using artificial intelligence
Image credits: The White House/YouTube
A day after news of Kirk’s death broke, Trump delivered a four-minute video address from the White House. In his remarks, the president condemned what he called the “heinous” assassination of his “very good friend.”
“He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people,” Trump said. “He's a martyr for truth and freedom, and there's never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”
Social media users noticed a glitch in the video: around 20 seconds in, Trump’s hands appeared to flicker, his ring finger seemed to merge with his hand, and his little finger appeared to lengthen.
In a detailed YouTube video, AllShorts Politics analyzed the video frame by frame.
They highlighted the moment when Trump’s small finger appeared to vanish entirely, leaving behind what looks like smooth skin where the finger should be.
The analysis points out that other fingers also appear to “shift” positions, almost as if they slide across the hand unnaturally. They also noted that the cuff of Trump’s sleeve seemed to shift, even though his arms stayed still.
The narrator points to these details as evidence that the video was digitally manipulated, possibly using AI tools to generate or alter the footage.
The video displayed unusual glitches, like his ring finger merging with his hand
TikToker and video editor Brian Alldridge had a different theory. In a TikTok that has over 600,000 views, Alldridge says the glitches are not caused by AI but by a software tool called ‘morph cut.’
He explained that two separate clips have been stitched together. “What the software will do is analyze the difference between those clips and generate new frames to fill the gap,” he said.
Alldridge added that the tool is typically used to speed up videos and smooth over filler words. He also noted that it works best when the person remains mostly still on camera.
Trump’s recent enthusiasm for AI includes hosting Silicon Valley executives at the White House to discuss the technology’s potential role in U.S. innovation.
Over the weekend, he also posted an AI-styled image of himself modeled after the film Apocalypse Now. He has previously also generated AI images of himself as the Pope during the papal selection and as a Jedi from Star Wars, wielding a red lightsaber.
Given this background, many social media users assumed the White House had turned to the same technology for Trump’s official message on Kirk’s death. Some critics argued that if true, using AI to address a national tragedy would be highly inappropriate.
If the rumors are true, the presidential autopen has had its day, and now AI makes sure the president’s hands behave on cue.