A few hours ago, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a large number of images on his social platform Truth Social: 42 photos in roughly two hours, most of which appear to be generated by artificial intelligence. The posts combined imagery that threatens military action toward Iran, attacks on political opponents (including Republicans he criticized), and campaign-style messaging suggesting he intends to run in the 2028 presidential election.
What did he post?
- He posted the same image six times showing U.S. personnel planting an American flag on an Iranian tanker, accompanied by the caption “this is now our tanker.”
- Three images depicted Iranian tankers exploding, with the caption “goodbye, engine room,” referencing the tactic of disabling blockade-violating ships by striking their engine compartments.
- Three AI-generated images showed U.S. fighter jets bombing targets in Iran, labeled “defenders of the world.”
- One image showed U.S. strike aircraft attacking Harg Island, which the post described as an Iranian oil export facility.
- Eight different images suggested he plans to run in 2028; in these, the politician is often shown wearing a “Trump 2028” cap.
- The remaining posts included attacks on political opponents — including Republican figures he said should “grow a backbone” — and patriotic motifs (bald eagles, fighter jets in flight, an American flag). One photo depicted him alongside Democratic President John F. Kennedy (who died in 1963) in front of the White House.
Who created the images?
It is not clear from the posts whether Donald Trump personally created these images or aggregated them from elsewhere on the internet. The style and repetition of the images, however, point to the likelihood that many were produced using generative AI tools.
Why it matters
The imagery implies military measures and a show of force toward Iran, which could raise diplomatic tensions and regional security concerns. The campaign-oriented images and 2028-run suggestions carry domestic political implications as well. The episode also highlights how generative AI can be used to disseminate political messages and military symbolism.
Next steps
No immediate official follow-up or comment from the White House or the campaign team was reported in connection with the posts. Media outlets and foreign-policy analysts are expected to scrutinize the images, their origins, and potential consequences.
