Debunking Viral Video of Trump Promising Support for Biafran Secessionists

A viral video featuring Donald Trump vowing to support Biafran secessionists in Nigeria is confirmed to be AI-generated and misleading. The original footage was manipulated, and Trump did not address Nigeria in his past speeches. Additionally, there are ongoing arrests related to pro-Biafra activism, highlighting the contentious nature of the movement.

A recent viral video purportedly features Donald Trump declaring plans to support Biafran secessionists in Nigeria. Shared over 2,000 times on Facebook, the video is attributed to a group named “Republicans of United States of Biafra”. Claims from the video insinuate Trump’s intention to assist the Igbo people of Biafra following his involvement in the Ukraine conflict. However, the footage is manipulated, revealing evidence of AI generation through visible flaws in the visual presentation.

Further analysis uncovers that the video misrepresents Trump’s actual past speech, taken from a 2021 address about the Capitol riots, where he did not mention Nigeria or Biafra. Pro-Biafra activists have a history of disseminating fictitious claims regarding endorsements from foreign governments for their secession efforts. Notably, Simon Ekpa, who identifies as the Biafran leader, was arrested in Finland for promoting violence, adding to the tension surrounding the nationalist movement. The use of AI-generated content underscores the growing concern about misinformation using public figures’ likenesses.

In summary, the viral video featuring Donald Trump discussing Biafra is confirmed to be an AI-generated fabrication aimed at promoting secessionist sentiments in Nigeria. The integrity of the original footage and the absence of Trump’s endorsement in his actual speeches highlight the issues surrounding misinformation. Additionally, the arrest of pro-Biafra activists suggests increasing scrutiny of their activities and the potential for escalating tensions in the region.

Original Source: factcheck.afp.com