Former President Donald Trump has recently engaged in a series of public actions, both online and in speeches, that have drawn significant attention and criticism. These incidents include the sharing of manipulated, AI-generated videos and making a number of confusing or factually incorrect statements during official appearances, prompting reactions from political figures and analysts.
Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump recently shared multiple AI-generated videos on social media, one of which promoted a conspiracy theory about "med beds."
- Another manipulated video targeting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was criticized by Hispanic groups as racist.
- During public speeches, Trump has made confusing statements, including mixing up country names and making unusual remarks to military leaders.
- A retired general described one of Trump's recent addresses to military commanders as "incoherent" and "unsettling."
- These events have led to renewed public discussion regarding his communication style and public conduct.
Unconventional Social Media Activity
In recent weeks, Donald Trump's social media accounts have featured unusual content, moving beyond typical political messaging. One notable instance involved the sharing of an AI-generated video targeting Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black House minority leader.
The video depicted Jeffries with a sombrero and an exaggerated mustache, set to mariachi music. Trump later posted a second, similar video showing himself in a sombrero. According to reports, Hispanic advocacy groups described the posts as "racist" and "dangerous."
The 'Med Bed' Conspiracy Theory
One of the most discussed posts was an AI-generated video that appeared to show Trump announcing a program for "med bed hospitals." The video claimed every American would receive a card for access to these facilities. The concept of "med beds" is a known conspiracy theory which posits that advanced medical technology capable of curing most diseases is being withheld from the public.
The video promoting the "med bed" theory was later deleted from Trump's Truth Social account. When questioned about it, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president saw the video, posted it, and then took it down.
"He has the right to do that. It’s his social media," Leavitt said. "He likes to share memes, he likes to share videos, he likes to repost things that he sees other people post on social media as well."
The incident raised questions about whether Trump was aware the video was a fake or if he endorsed the conspiracy theory it promoted.
Statements During Public Appearances
Beyond social media, Trump's remarks at public events have also been a subject of analysis. During a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump confused Armenia and Albania while discussing a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reportedly made the same mistake during a television appearance.
In another speech, while announcing grants for autism research, Trump made a confusing statement about Tylenol's potential link to autism if taken during pregnancy, a claim not supported by mainstream scientific evidence. He also spoke of "certain elements of genius that can be given to a baby."
His public statements have sometimes shifted focus unexpectedly. On the day of a shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan that killed four people, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had "been briefed" and his administration would keep the public informed.
However, his next post three hours later was not an update on the shooting. Instead, it was a video of gold fixtures in the White House, which he described as the "Best Oval Office ever, in terms of success and look!!!" He did not comment further on the Michigan incident that day but did post about a new NFL kickoff rule.
Address to Military Commanders
An address to top military commanders in Virginia prompted significant concern from some observers. During the speech, Trump's delivery was described by some as sounding drained. He spoke at length about his predecessor Joe Biden falling on stairs and his own caution when descending them.
He continued with a long, meandering tangent about former President Barack Obama.
"That’s the one thing with Obama, I had zero respect for him as a president, but he would bop down those stairs, I’ve never seen – da da da da da da, bop, bop, bop, he’d go down the stairs, wouldn’t hold on," Trump stated in the speech.
Military Training in U.S. Cities
In the same address, Trump referred to several major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, as "very unsafe places." He then casually mentioned that he had suggested to his newly-appointed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, that "we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military."
This speech drew a sharp reaction from retired General Barry McCaffrey, who called the performance "one of the most bizarre, unsettling events I’ve ever encountered."
"The president sounded incoherent, exhausted, rabidly partisan, at times stupid, meandering, couldn’t hold a thought together," McCaffrey told MSNBC.
Political Reactions to Recent Behavior
The series of events has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean confronted Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson about the former president's conduct.
In an exchange filmed by journalists, Dean told Johnson, "The president is unhinged. He is unwell."
Johnson's response was brief, stating, "Well a lot of folks on your side are too." The exchange highlights the partisan divide in how Trump's actions are perceived, with critics expressing alarm while supporters often dismiss or defend the behavior as part of his unconventional political style.