Donald Trump is facing criticism on his own social media platform, Truth Social, after sharing an AI-generated video that envisions a transformed Gaza featuring him and a topless Benjamin Netanyahu sipping cocktails. The video, which Trump shared without comment, promotes his controversial plan to redevelop the Palestinian territory into a Dubai-style resort, which critics have labelled a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.
The computer-generated footage shows Gaza as a luxury destination with skyscrapers, yachts, and bearded belly dancers. Trump is depicted as a revered figure, with a golden balloon of his head and a towering statue of him overlooking a city street. Elon Musk appears multiple times, eating flatbread and dancing as dollar bills fall from the sky, while Tesla cars cruise through the streets. AI-generated lyrics accompany the video, including lines such as 'Trump Gaza's shining bright, golden future, a brand new life.'
Users on Truth Social reacted negatively, with one calling it 'in very poor taste' and another describing the video as 'horrible'. Several comments referenced the idolatry of the golden statue, with one user writing, 'The statue is a symbol of the antichrist, please humble yourself to God.' Other users described the video as 'sick' and 'filth'.
The video, originally posted by other accounts, appears to promote Trump's proposal for the US to 'own' Gaza and resettle its population of about two million. The plan has been rejected by key Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and Palestinian leaders were not consulted. The backlash follows Trump's previous comments about wanting to 'clean out' Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel's war that has killed nearly 50,000 people, mostly civilians.
