AI-generated political videos are trending on YouTube, targeting Trump

Cartoon bears attacking Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin dating Melania Trump, and Volodymyr Zelensky booby-trapping the former US president's toilet: these hilarious sketches, created by artificial intelligence, have become one of YouTube's most viral phenomena of 2025.

Example of a successful AI video

These slapstick videos, inspired by Tom and Jerry cartoons, depict world leaders in ridiculous situations, often humiliating for Trump and his ally Benjamin Netanyahu. For example, Putin, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Kim Jong-un are seen setting traps for the American billionaire, burning flags, and even driving around in cars made of fruit. The videos are accompanied by recorded laughter and comical music, sometimes even including their staged assassinations.

A global success

Since their launch earlier this year, these dedicated YouTube accounts have racked up more than 2.2 billion views. By comparison, the official White House channel has "only" 88 million views since 2006. Some videos alone have exceeded 20 million views and generated thousands of comments.

The most active accounts, such as Make AI Great Again and Global Presidents, are tapping into the public's appetite for a blend of politics, absurd humor, and technology. Eight of the ten most-viewed videos about Trump in 2025 come from these channels.

Between entertainment and propaganda?

While the creators claim it's all "just for fun," some observers question the true intentions. Disinformation expert Bret Schafer of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, for example, notes that Burkinabe leader Ibrahim Traoré—little known to the Western public—regularly appears in these videos. This choice could indicate ulterior geopolitical motives, as Russia and China intensify their influence in West Africa.

Some content also echoes themes similar to Chinese or Russian propaganda. Videos from the Make AI Great Again account about "American sweatshop workers" initially circulated on Chinese social media before being picked up by state media.

YouTube under pressure

These productions do not violate YouTube's rules because they are explicitly presented as AI-generated fiction. The platform says it has found no evidence of a coordinated state campaign, although it has removed one account that has already been sanctioned in the past.

The phenomenon isn't limited to YouTube: TikTok and Instagram also massively distribute these videos, which accumulate hundreds of millions of additional views.

A new cultural weapon?

Behind the absurd humor and cartoonish aesthetic, these videos raise a serious question: Are they simply digital entertainment or a new tool of culture warfare, mixing disinformation and satire?

For now, one thing is certain: never before have such bizarre political parodies reached such a large online audience. As analyst Bret Schafer summarizes:

“I was amazed by the number of views.”