Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

GOP uses dystopian AI-generated video to attack Biden as he launches re-election bid

Joe Biden’s announcement comes amid a crowded GOP field

Eric Garcia
Tuesday 25 April 2023 12:54 EDT
Comments
RNC uses AI images of Biden in campaign attack ad

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Republican National Committee has released an ad using AI-generated images to paint a grim future if President Joe Biden were to win a second term.

The video came as Mr Biden announced his bid for a second term for president in the 2024 presidential election. Axios first reported that the video uses AI-generated images of Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrating their re-election.

“What if the weakest president we’ve ever had were re-elected,” the caption reads.

The ad then jumps to a series of dystopian images that the GOP envisions under a second Biden-Harris term.

The video then shows images of China invading Taiwan, asking “what if international tensions escalate”; that image is followed by video of banks shutting down, asking “what if financial systems crumble.” The video then cuts to images of immigrants arriving into the United States illegally, asking “what if our border is gone”. The ad also hypothesises that the city of San Francisco would close because of rising crime and fentanyl deaths.

Mr Biden announced he would seek a second term for president on 25 April with Ms Harris as his running mate, putting down any rumours that he might replace her on the ticket.

“Biden is so out-of-touch that after creating crisis after crisis, he thinks he deserves another four years,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement in response to Mr Biden’s announcement. “If voters let Biden ‘finish the job,’ inflation will continue to skyrocket, crime rates will rise, more fentanyl will cross our open borders, children will continue to be left behind, and American families will be worse off.”

More candidates have jumped into the Republican presidential primary recently to challenge former president Donald Trump. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley announced in February, and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson has also thrown his hat in. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott announced an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork to run. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is widely expected to announce his candidacy in the coming months.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in