Donald Trump’s Video on Charlie Kirk Assassination Sparks AI Deepfake Claims

Summary:

• A video of Trump addressing Charlie Kirk assassination sparks online debate over possible digital manipulation or AI use.

• Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a speaking event; Trump pledges to crack down on political violence.

• Speculation about Trump’s video editing and health concerns arise, reflecting broader anxieties over authenticity in digital media.

A video address from President Donald Trump responding to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is drawing scrutiny online after viewers claimed the footage showed signs of digital editing or even AI generation.

TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025

Trump delivered the remarks on Wednesday from the White House, hours after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Authorities said the shooting was a targeted “political assassination,” and the suspect remains at large.

Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was speaking before a crowd of about 3,000 people under a gazebo bearing the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong” when he was struck by a single bullet to the neck. He was transported by his security team to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No other attendees, including Kirk’s family, were harmed. Police said they are investigating multiple crime scenes and have interviewed several individuals, though no suspects have been charged.

In his video message, Trump condemned the killing as “a dark moment for America” and pledged to crack down on political violence. “I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” he said. “He inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.”

But viewers quickly shifted focus to the format of the video itself. Around the 19-second mark, Trump’s pinkie finger appears to briefly “disappear,” prompting speculation on X and other platforms that the video was manipulated.

“Pretty sure this is AI,” one user wrote, while another added: “Seeing it correctly, zoom in slow, pinky disappears and regrows from thin air.” Others went further, questioning whether the White House had “deepfaked” the president.

Several video editors pushed back on the AI claims, suggesting the glitch was likely the result of a standard jump cut or post-production correction. “I’ve used that before when I need to cut out an ‘um’ or a cough,” one editor explained in a widely shared comment. “If the shots on either side are nearly identical, they can be spliced together. It can look wonky like that.”

Another explanation floated online was heavy color correction or changes in reflections in the background, which can cause distortions in compressed digital footage.

The Department of Public Safety confirmed it is working across multiple sites connected to the shooting and is appealing for public information. Utah Valley University announced it will remain closed until September 15.

As questions swirl around both Kirk’s killing and the president’s video address, law enforcement continues its search for the shooter, while the online debate reflects broader anxieties about authenticity in an era of AI-generated media.