A deepfake videos featuring American leaders like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris singing in perfect Mandarin have gone viral on China’s version of TikTok, Douyin. Although humorous, the clips have sparked wider discussions about the influence of AI-generated content and its implications for global disinformation.
One viral video shows former U.S. President Trump appearing to sing "I love you, China. My dear mother." At the same time, his Democratic opponent in the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris, responds with another Mandarin song. Despite the comedic tone, the video is entirely fictional. Both leaders are not fluent in Mandarin, nor did the event ever take place.
The videos have garnered tens of thousands of likes and reposts on Douyin. Comments ranged from “These two are almost as Chinese as it gets,” to sarcastic praise for the cultural mashup. Videos featuring American leaders singing Chinese songs are also circulating on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
AI and Disinformation Concerns
The emergence of these AI-generated videos has raised eyebrows in intelligence circles. Experts warn that China and other nations have been increasingly using generative AI to interfere with and influence political discourse in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
“There has been an increased use of Chinese AI-generated content in recent months, attempting to influence and sow division in the U.S.,” said a report by Microsoft in April. U.S. intelligence officials are closely monitoring these developments.
Cultural Commentary or Political Trolling?
Observers believe the videos are more a reflection of Chinese cultural confidence than a serious disinformation campaign. “By making the likes of Biden and Trump sing Chinese songs, they can culturally domesticate powerful Americans,” said Alexa Pan, a researcher on China’s AI industry.
The deepfake phenomenon has been particularly focused on creating humorous or satirical content, with many videos portraying Biden and Trump as close friends singing about unity. Despite the lightheartedness, the trend highlights growing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology.
Political Speech Still Limited in China
The viral deepfakes feature only U.S. leaders, while Chinese politicians remain off-limits. Strict regulations in China prohibit the use of AI technology in a way that could “endanger the national security and interests” or harm the image of Chinese leaders.
