The News Literacy Project has identified hundreds of instances of election-related misinformation on social media, including false claims of endorsements from celebrities and organizations. These misleading posts are designed to influence public opinion ahead of the 2024 election. One notable example is a post shared by former President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, containing images suggesting support from Taylor Swift fans, known as “Swifties for Trump.” However, Swift has not endorsed Trump or any other candidate in the current race.
The use of artificial intelligence to create fake images and endorsements is becoming more widespread on social media. Some of the images shared by Trump showed obvious signs of being doctored, while others appeared more authentic. These AI-generated images often feature high-quality, airbrushed appearances that can be difficult to distinguish from real photos. The News Literacy Project launched a database to track these instances of misinformation and raise awareness about their potential impact on democracy.
The database covers various categories of political disinformation, including conspiracy theories, lies about candidates’ policies, and fake endorsements. Roughly 1 in 10 viral posts analyzed by the project contained fake endorsements, with celebrities like Aaron Rodgers, Morgan Freeman, Bruce Springsteen, and Michelle Obama being falsely portrayed as endorsing or snubbing candidates. This misinformation has garnered millions of views on social media, highlighting the need for increased awareness and fact-checking.
The proliferation of fake endorsements is exacerbated by changes in technology platforms’ moderation policies. Social media companies like X and Meta have made adjustments to their teams and algorithms, leading to a flood of misleading content. X’s AI-powered chatbot, Grok, has been used to create fake images and spread misinformation about political candidates. Despite efforts to combat these issues, the spread of fake content can have a lasting impact on public perception and discourse.
While AI tools have made it easier to create misleading claims, traditional methods of doctoring images and videos are still prevalent. The use of AI in political disinformation is not as widespread as initially feared, but it remains a significant concern. Social media platforms are facing challenges in identifying and removing fake content, especially when it is generated by AI. The News Literacy Project emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in navigating the digital landscape during election season.
