A video falsely attributing a statement to Donald Trump about liberating secessionists in Nigeria was identified as AI-generated. Despite gaining traction on social media, analysis revealed it was manipulated, lacking any legitimate endorsement from Trump. The original footage was from a news report concerning the January 6 Capitol incident, with no references to Nigeria or Biafra.
A video circulating on social media claims to show former President Donald Trump pledging to liberate secessionists in Nigeria. The clip has garnered significant attention, being shared over 2,000 times since its release on February 18, 2025. Within the video, Trump allegedly states that following the conflict in Ukraine, he intends to assist the Igbo people of Biafra in achieving independence. This narrative aligns with the ongoing efforts of Biafra supporters, who have long sought independence for Nigeria’s southeastern region, where a civil war was fought in the late 1960s.
The video, which was shared by a Facebook page dedicated to supporting Biafran secession, was shown to contain inconsistencies that indicate it was artificially generated. Upon closer examination, analysts identified flaws in Trump’s mouth and chin—common indicators of AI-produced imagery. Additionally, the footage bore a watermark from a website known for generating videos of public figures delivering scripted content.
Further investigation has revealed that the original video content was sourced from a CNBC broadcast uploaded on January 14, 2021. In the legitimate footage, Trump addresses the violent events of the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident but makes no mention of Biafra or Nigeria. Proponents of Biafran independence have been accused of disseminating false claims regarding foreign endorsement of their secessionist movement.
In summary, the video purporting to show Donald Trump supporting Nigerian secessionists is a product of AI technology, designed to mislead viewers. An examination of the footage revealed telltale signs of digital alteration, and further research traced the clip back to a legitimate news broadcast in which Trump did not discuss Biafra. This incident underscores the need for caution when interpreting and sharing content on social media, especially regarding politically sensitive topics.
Original Source: factcheck.afp.com
