On Thursday, Donald Trump posted a striking, AI-generated video to his social platform, Truth Social. In the short clip a white-coated, stethoscope-wearing figure identified as "Dr. Donald Trump" appears to "treat" celebrities whom the president and his allies have frequently criticized in public.
The video features AI-created likenesses of public figures including Whoopi Goldberg, Edward Norton, Julia Roberts, Robert de Niro and Rosie O'Donnell. In one segment, a deepfake of Robert de Niro describes severe symptoms: inability to eat or sleep and constant anger that made life difficult for those around him.
Trump and his supporters have long used the phrase "Trump derangement syndrome" (TDS) to describe people they view as irrationally or excessively critical of the president. In the video, the "Dr. Trump" character says some patients were so advanced in their condition that he was not sure he could help them. His suggested remedies for those with TDS were to "turn off the fake news," pray, and—if they ever feel anxious—drink a diet cola, which he claims he does and says will lead to significant changes in their lives.
Trump has previously posted or commissioned AI-generated imagery and videos of himself: in January he shared an image showing the American flag planted in Greenland, and in April he posted footage depicting himself as Jesus Christ healing a man whose appearance strongly resembled comedian and host John Stewart. One such image drew criticism even from some of Trump’s allies, prompting the president to insist that the image portrayed him as a doctor, not a savior.
The White House has typically described these posts as jokes. Responding to the latest video, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said posting it was Trump’s "right," and added that the "anti-Trump delusion syndrome" is a crippling disease that, in his view, has warped many people’s minds. Officials did not confirm whether the White House contacted any of the actors depicted in the video regarding use of their likenesses.
Among the celebrities shown, only Rosie O'Donnell has publicly responded so far: in a statement she offered her own assessment of the president, saying his condition is severe and deteriorating, urged invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove him, and called for charges and conviction.
Why this matters
The post highlights how a U.S. president can use artificial intelligence to amplify political messaging and target opponents. The spread of deepfake technology raises questions about the use of public figures’ likenesses, the integrity of political communication, and the responsibilities of social platforms.
