U.S. Vice President JD Vance dismissed criticism from Democrats on Wednesday after President Donald Trump shared AI-manipulated videos targeting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The controversy comes as Trump faces off with Democratic leaders over a government shutdown that entered its first day this week.
The videos, posted to Trump’s Truth Social account, depicted Jeffries with a digitally added handlebar mustache and sombrero, set to Mariachi music. Jeffries, who is Black and whose family traces roots to Cape Verde, strongly condemned the clips, calling them “disgusting” during an MSNBC interview. Trump later doubled down by posting another altered video from that interview, again using the same mocking imagery.
At the White House press briefing on Wednesday, the AI-manipulated clip was replayed on large screens. When asked about the images, Vance defended the posts, brushing them off as harmless humor. “I think it’s funny. The president’s joking and we’re having a good time,” he said, arguing that negotiations with Democrats could still move forward in “good faith” while Trump poked fun at political opponents.
Democrats, including Jeffries, blasted the content as racist and bigoted, highlighting Trump’s long history of inflammatory and divisive remarks. The videos have drawn widespread criticism for perpetuating racial stereotypes, particularly given Jeffries’ leadership role and the high-stakes standoff over government funding.
The incident underscores how AI-generated content is increasingly being used in U.S. political discourse, raising concerns about the line between satire and offensive manipulation. As the shutdown showdown intensifies, Trump’s use of doctored media to attack rivals has only deepened partisan divisions, leaving little sign of compromise on Capitol Hill.