The Rise of AI and Fake Videos

The internet offers endless entertainment, from viral TikToks to memes and cat videos. But as artificial intelligence evolves, it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what’s digitally altered.

The Viral Pope and Trump Video

After Pope Francis’s recent passing, a video involving him and Donald Trump resurfaced online, sparking debates about its authenticity. The clip, which shows Pope Francis swatting away Trump’s hand during a handshake, was widely shared. It even displayed a CNN logo, giving the impression it was real news footage.

Fact-Checking the Footage

However, The Dispatch Fact Check quickly debunked the video. CNN confirmed that the footage was fake. To clarify, journalist Daniel Baldwin shared the original CNN footage from March 2017, showing Trump’s visit to the Vatican without any hand-swatting incident.

A Comedic Origin

The viral video actually came from a comedic skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The scene of the Pope brushing away Trump’s hand was a satirical addition to the real 2017 meeting, created for comedic effect.

Social Media Confusion

Despite its comedic nature, the video confused many viewers. Some questioned its authenticity, while others wished it were real simply for the entertainment value. One user exclaimed, “Wait, this really happened? It’s not edited?” Another wrote, “Please let this be real.”

AI Clarifies the Truth

Users turned to Grok, the AI assistant on X (formerly Twitter), for answers. Grok confirmed that the video was fake, originating from Jimmy Kimmel’s 2017 comedy skit. The original footage from the Vatican meeting had no such interaction.

Reactions to the Reveal

While some found the video humorous, others were disappointed by the truth. One fan commented, “I laugh every time I see it—it’s like something siblings would do.”

Reflecting on Pope Francis’s Legacy

As the viral video frenzy died down, news emerged that Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis just a day before his death. The conversation details have since been shared as Catholics around the world mourn.

Looking ahead, attention shifts to the Vatican as they prepare to select a new pope, with the world watching for the symbolic black or white smoke signaling the decision.