Trump's fake AI-generated Taylor Swift 'endorsement' sparks controversy

Former US President Donald Trump stirred controversy by claiming to "accept" an endorsement from Taylor Swift despite the pop megastar having yet to endorse any candidate in this year's election, local media reported on Monday.

Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House, on Sunday posted "I accept!" on his Truth Social account with a series of Al-generated images of Swift, including one showing Swift as “Uncle Sam” urging people to vote for him, and other featuring "Swifties for Trump" shirts, reported CNN.

Swift has not said anything about the controversy, and her representative did not respond to CNN's request for comment.

One of Trump's shared posts, featuring a fabricated narrative about Swift fans turning to Trump after an ISIS attack was thwarted at her Vienna, Austria concert, was confirmed as satire by the original creator.

Jessica McBride, an editor from Wisconsin Right Now, told CNN that two of the photos Trump posted were real, showing a woman named Jenna Piwowarczyk at a Trump rally.

According to Wisconsin News Now, Piwowarczyk said that many Swift fans, like herself, hold conservative values and support Trump, although an official "Swifties for Trump" group does not exist.

In contrast, a pro-Harris group, "Swifties for Kamala," has garnered significant support, with over 60,000 followers and more than $10,000 raised for the presidential bid of current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Speaking to CNN, Carly Long, the group's communications director, criticized Trump's use of AI-generated photos, adding that their support for Harris is rooted in shared values, echoing Swift in 2020 labeling Trump a "homophobic racist."

Trump's comments, including praise for Swift's looks while acknowledging her likely liberal stance, have sparked a backlash from Swift's more liberal fanbase, who have urged the former president to "stay away from her."

Swift, who has increasingly voiced her political views, notably supported candidates Joe Biden and Harris against Trump's reelection in 2020, and advocating racial justice, women's rights, and LGBTQIA+ issues, while openly criticizing then-President Trump.