FACT CHECK: Video Announcing Trump’s Plan To Annex Canada is AI-Generated
A post on X purports to show President-Elect Donald Trump giving a speech where he announces plans to annex Canada.
Donald Trump Reveals Plan To Annex Canada pic.twitter.com/2JX9F9FMUw
— Danny Polishchuk (@Dannyjokes) December 4, 2024
Verdict: False
The video is AI-generated.
Fact Check:
President-Elect Donald Trump recently met with Canadian Prime Minister at Mar-A-Lago to discuss their country’s economies and how potential tariffs might affect both. Trump has threatened to levy at 25% tariff on both Canada and Mexico if they don’t sufficiently help curb immigration and drug issues. Trudeau stated that the two leaders had an “excellent conversation”, while Trump called the meeting “very productive.”
A post on X purports to show President-Elect Trump giving a speech in his usual social media way, with him standing in a room at his resort speaking directly to the camera. In it, he addresses the people of Canada by saying “it isn’t the great white north anymore, is it?” He threatens to slap tariffs on them January 20, which is Inauguration Day, before calling it “manifest destiny” that Canada becomes the 51st state in the continental U.S. and making more jokes at Canada’s expense.
This video is a deepfake, however, as it was made with artificial intelligence. Check Your Fact ran the video through AI detection website TrueMedia, which found substantial evidence of manipulation.
The account responsible for this media is known for satire based AI videos. Danny Polishchuk is a comedian and podcast host, and he can be seen at the end of the video telling viewers to follow and subscribe. Check Your Fact has debunked viral videos of his previously. (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Video Of Kamala Harris Calling Trump ‘Hitler’ On Joe Rogan‘s Podcast Is AI-Generated)
While there are no real plans to annex Canada, President-Elect Trump did actually joke about it during the meeting at Mar-A-Lago. He reportedly told Trudeau over dinner that if they don’t like tariffs they could perhaps get statehood, which caused nervous laughter amongst the Canadian entourage.
