Does a pro-Ron DeSantis PAC ad use a real recording of former President Donald Trump's voice? No, that's not true: The audio of Trump used in the ad was created by artificial intelligence, the spokesperson for the political action committee told Lead Stories.
The claim appeared in a video (archived here) published by Never Back Down on July 18, 2023, under the title "Trump Attacks Iowa." The Trump-sounding voice begins at nine seconds into the video, saying:
I opened up the governor position for Kim Reynolds
Click below to watch the video on YouTube:
The entire clip of the Trump-sounding voice says:
I opened up the governor position for Kim Reynolds, and when she fell behind, I endorsed her, did big rallies, and she won. Now, she wants to remain neutral. I don't invite her to events!
The ad was created by the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down. The spokesperson confirmed to Lead Stories via email on July 18, 2023, that they "utilized technology to give voice to Donald Trump's words and truth social post attacking Gov. Reynolds."
The words were taken from Trump's July 10, 2023, Truth Social post (archived here), which said:
I love Iowa, protected & expanded Ethanol, got 28 Billion Dollars from China for our great Farmers, ended the Estate (Death!) Tax on farms, made the best TRADE deals in history (USMCA, China, & many more), introduced the World to our FARMERS, & kept Iowa's 'First in the Nation' status. I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don't invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!
Other Lead Stories articles on claims involving artificial intelligence and deepfakes are here and here.
