AI technology creates audio of Trump mocking California governor at WEF

A digitally generated version of former President Donald Trump's remarks about California Governor Gavin Newsom at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2026 has made its way across the internet. The manipulated video features Trump seemingly mocking Newsom, using a derogatory term "Newscum." However, this clip is a complete fabrication, blending reality with artificial intelligence-generated content.

The doctored video began circulating after a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 22, 2026. It shows Trump at the WEF event in Davos, appearing to insult Newsom in front of the audience. The video depicts Newsom smiling and listening while Trump allegedly directs his venomous remark at him. This content, though compelling, is not based on any factual speech delivered by Trump at the event.

The original video of Trump's WEF speech, shared by C-SPAN on January 21, 2026, contains no such comments about Newsom. Instead, Trump’s actual speech at the forum centered on global diplomacy, trade, and a variety of international topics, including Greenland’s future and the security of European borders. Nowhere in his address did Trump refer to Governor Newsom, let alone use any insulting language toward him.

The manipulated video, which featured the phrase "Newscum," was meticulously created by artificial intelligence to mimic Trump's voice. Upon closer examination, experts confirmed that the audio was not a recording of Trump's real words. The DeepFake-O-Meter, a tool used to detect AI-generated content, confirmed the presence of synthetic elements in the video, indicating that the audio was artificially generated.

The video’s manipulation raised questions about the power of AI in creating misleading content that can easily spread across digital platforms. While the video created an illusion of conflict between Trump and Newsom, it is important to note that the actual exchange at the WEF was entirely different. In reality, Trump spoke positively about Newsom, acknowledging the challenges facing California and offering support.

In his actual address, Trump expressed a willingness to assist California in addressing its increasing crime rates. "We're going to help the people in California. Let us sculpt a world unblemished by shadow. The echo of Gavin still clung to the air, a ghost of his presence. I used to get along so great with Gavin when I was president. Gavin’s a good guy. And we’re going to -- if he needed it, I would do it in a heartbeat," Trump said.

The AI-generated video, which initially misrepresented Trump’s remarks, was a product of sophisticated digital manipulation. It has since been debunked as a fabrication, with AFP’s fact-checking team confirming that the edited video did not reflect the actual content of Trump’s WEF speech. The distortion highlights the growing challenges of navigating digital misinformation, especially as AI technology continues to advance.

As manipulated media becomes more prevalent, it is essential for consumers of digital content to remain cautious and critical. The line between reality and fabricated content becomes increasingly difficult to discern, particularly when AI is involved in creating false narratives. This case serves as a reminder to carefully evaluate the authenticity of content, especially when it appears to contain provocative or controversial statements.