Billionaire and X owner Elon Musk faced significant backlash on Monday after sharing a deepfake video featuring U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, which critics argue breaches the platform’s own guidelines. The manipulated video, originally posted by an X account associated with conservative podcaster Chris Kohls and labeled as “parody,” depicts a voiceover impersonating U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. In the video, the impersonator criticizes President Joe Biden, suggesting he is senile and implying that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, as a woman and a person of color, is merely a “diversity hire.”
Elon Musk’s repost, made on Friday, was accompanied by a comment stating, “This is amazing,” and a laughing emoji, but lacked any disclaimer about its manipulated nature. The post quickly accumulated over 130 million views, drawing criticism amidst increasing concerns over AI-driven disinformation ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign condemned the video, asserting that it spreads “fake, manipulated lies” and detracts from the genuine opportunities she advocates for. With nearly 192 million followers, Elon Musk’s endorsement of such content carries substantial influence.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also condemned the video, indicating plans to support legislation banning similar media. Elon Musk, however, defended his action, asserting that parody is protected under American law. His repost appears to contravene X’s policies, which prohibit sharing “synthetic, manipulated or out-of-context media” that can mislead or harm people.
Disinformation experts are particularly alarmed by the use of AI technology in elections, given its potential for misuse and the current lack of robust safeguards. The incident underscores the need for stricter oversight of digital platforms to prevent the spread of misleading or harmful content.
