The proliferation of AI-generated memes has sparked a heated debate surrounding former President Donald Trump’s stance on animal protection. The controversy gained momentum after high-profile figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, shared cartoonish images created using artificial intelligence. These images, often accompanied by racist undertones, depicted Trump as a defender of animals while Vice President Kamala Harris was portrayed as indifferent.
The use of AI apps, such as Musk’s Grok service and a Chinese-owned app, allowed users to quickly create and disseminate these memes, resulting in millions of views and even making their way to Trump’s own social media accounts. Some of the shared images openly perpetuated prejudice, depicting Black individuals chasing after cats. The lack of real photographs of Trump with animals made AI particularly useful in this case.
The memes, although often based on false claims, have had real-world consequences. In Springfield, Ohio, where the rumor mill surrounding Haitian immigrants abducting and eating household pets originated, local schools and government offices have been affected. The cat-related memes, disguised as cute and humorous content, have inadvertently contributed to the demonization of immigrants.
The AI-generated memes flooded social media platforms such as Reddit, X, TikTok, and Instagram, with countless videos and images being uploaded. While pro-Trump memes dominated the scene, pro-Harris memes related to pets were relatively rare. The memes revealed a stark divide in reactions, with racists finding delight in them, while others expressed confusion, anger, or opposition.
Experts warn that the widespread use of fake images in driving discourse poses a threat to democracy. The ease of generating AI content has allowed anyone with access to generative AI to create and share these images rapidly. The viral potential of these memes, combined with their bright colors and easy-to-consume messages, has contributed to their wide reach.
This episode is seen as a continuation of the meme economy that played a significant role in Trump’s initial rise to power in 2016. The availability of various AI image generators has further fueled the spread of such content, with some generators lacking rules to prevent the creation of misinformation.
While some AI image generators have implemented safeguards against election misinformation, others, such as Chinese AI startup MiniMax, have been implicated in the creation of widely viewed AI videos featuring Trump and animals. The controversy surrounding these memes highlights the need for responsible use of AI technology and the potential consequences of its misuse.