Bizarre AI Video Sparks Political Controversy

But that’s only the first twist in a story that mixes dance-floor disco, spy-novel intrigue and a sharp clash with established facts. Buckle up.

1. The 15-Second Shocker

Verified fact: On 20 – 21 July 2025, President Trump reposted an AI-generated clip on his platform Truth Social that shows Barack Obama getting cuffed by federal agents while the Village People’s “YMCA” blares in the background. [Daily Beast]
The video opens with real footage of Democrats—including the real Obama—saying, “No one is above the law,” then jump-cuts to an Oval Office fantasy where a computer-spawned Obama is dragged to jail.
Trump beams at the camera. The disco beat never stops.

Why would a sitting president push out a deep-fake of his predecessor? Enter Tulsi Gabbard.

2. Spy Chief With a Microphone

Tulsi Gabbard, now 44 and confirmed in February as Director of National Intelligence, appeared on Fox News the same weekend.

She accused the 2016 Obama White House of orchestrating “a years-long coup” against then-candidate Trump.
She claimed newly declassified material proves the Russia probe was “manufactured.” [Newsmax]

Gabbard’s TV hit was the spark; the deep-fake video was the viral gasoline.

3. “100 Documents” or “100 Pages”? The Paper Chase

Gabbard told viewers that “more than 100 documents” back her claim.

Correction: Her office later clarified it released “over 100 pages” of material—fewer documents, many redacted.
She says the bundle is now with Attorney-General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for possible prosecution.

We’ve asked to see the full set. So far, only snippets—mostly email summaries and memos—are public.

4. The Elephant in the Room: Russian Interference Did Happen

Gabbard also repeated a broader assertion: there was “no real evidence” of Russian meddling in 2016.

Flatly contradicted by the Mueller Report, which concluded the Kremlin interfered “in sweeping and systematic fashion.” [CBS | Politico]
Multiple bipartisan Senate Intelligence reports reached the same conclusion.

In short, the interference is not an open question—it’s a documented fact. Whether Obama’s team abused that fact for political spying is what Gabbard is trying to prove, but she hasn’t supplied conclusive evidence yet.

5. Deep-Fakes, Disco and Disinformation

Why the “YMCA” soundtrack? Trump has long used the song at rallies; it’s his crowd-pleaser. But pairing a feel-good anthem with a manufactured arrest scene shows how AI tools can wrap serious allegations in click-bait packaging.

The video racked up millions of views in hours.
Because it’s labeled “meme” rather than “news,” it skirts many platform rules.

Researchers worry that high-fidelity deep-fakes like this could blur reality in the heat of the 2026 midterms.

6. What We Know, What We Don’t

Verified:

Trump shared the deep-fake.
Gabbard is DNI and made the “coup” allegation.
A packet of 100+ pages was released and sent to DOJ/FBI.

Unverified / Needs More Proof:

That those pages prove Obama officials plotted a “coup.”
Any criminal wrongdoing tied to the Russia investigation beyond what DOJ IG reports have already covered.

Incorrect/Misleading:

The claim that there was “no real evidence” of Russian interference.

7. Why This Matters

Precedent: A sitting U.S. president amplified a fabricated video of another president in chains. That’s new territory.
Information Warfare: The line between meme and misinformation is vanishing fast.
Public Trust: Each sensational claim—true or not—adds to the fog voters must navigate heading into 2026.

Bottom Line

Yes, Trump posted the bizarre AI video. Yes, Gabbard is pushing explosive allegations. But until she provides clear, corroborated documents—not just pages—the “years-long coup” remains a claim, not a proven conspiracy.

Stay skeptical, keep reading past the memes, and remember: even disco beats can soundtrack a disinformation campaign.