Washington, D.C. (Agencies) – 22 July 2025: President Donald Trump ignited a media firestorm over the weekend by posting an AI-generated video depicting Barack Obama’s arrest and sharing QAnon-themed calls for military tribunals on his Truth Social platform—despite there being no legal basis or formal plan to detain the ex-president.
What Happened On Sunday, Trump shared a roughly 30-second clip digitally stitched together from a real Oval Office meeting in November 2016 and AI-fabricated scenes showing Obama handcuffed by federal agents and later dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit. The video was sound-tracked to the Village People’s “YMCA,” a song Trump frequently uses as his personal anthem.
QAnon Reposts and Arrest Demands Alongside the video, Trump went on a “repost spree,” endorsing multiple QAnon-style graphics urging “public military tribunals” and mass arrests of Democratic figures. One image proclaimed, “All roads lead to Obama. Retruth if you want public military tribunals,” while others bore slogans like “Slayer of the Deep State” and “Blind justice under the law will return to our republic”.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Coup Claims The video and reposts appeared to echo claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who alleged on Fox News that Obama and senior aides orchestrated a “years-long coup” to undermine Trump’s presidency, accusing them of “manufacturing” the Russia-collusion narrative. Gabbard said she has referred documents on the matter to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
Bipartisan Criticism Legal experts and politicians swiftly condemned the posts. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, denounced Gabbard’s allegations as “baseless” and accused her of politicizing intelligence. He warned that Trump’s AI video “violates norms and undermines public trust in law enforcement”.
No Actual Arrest Plan Despite the provocative content, there is no official investigation or warrant for Obama’s arrest, and no portion of the video or QAnon imagery carries legal weight. Obama has not been charged with any crime, and Justice Department officials emphasize that Trump’s posts are purely political theater.
Implications for Misinformation The episode spotlights the growing power—and peril—of deepfake technology in politics. As AI-generated media becomes more convincing, experts warn of heightened risks to democratic discourse and public confidence. “When world leaders share fabricated content, it erodes trust in institutions,” said Evelyn Perez, a digital-ethics scholar at Georgetown University.
What’s Next The White House declined to comment, and neither Trump nor Gabbard has offered further evidence backing the coup claims. Observers expect fierce debate over Truth Social’s content moderation policies and possible calls for regulatory oversight of AI-driven political messaging.