AI-Generated Misinformation Fuels Diddy Trial Falsehoods, Reaching Millions
A wave of fabricated videos, crafted by artificial intelligence, is disseminating false claims about the ongoing sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. These videos are amassing millions of views, potentially distorting public perception of the case and profiting from disinformation.
The Spread of AI-Generated Falsehoods
Around two dozen YouTube channels are reportedly pushing out videos filled with bogus claims about Combs’s sex trafficking trial. These channels have collectively garnered close to 70 million views from roughly 900 videos centered on Combs over the past year. The content includes AI-generated images and manufactured quotes.
A channel called Pak Gov Update published a video nearly 30 minutes long, titled Jay-Z Breaks His Silence on Diddy Controversy. It presented a thumbnail of the rapper Jay-Z, depicted in tears and holding up a CD above the fabricated quote: “I WILL BE DEAD SOON.”
The channel has also posted similar videos using fake testimonies attributed to celebrities like comedian Kevin Hart and singer-songwriter Usher.
Influencers wait on the day the jury reaches the verdict on several counts in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial at US federal court in Manhattan, New York City July 1, 2025. — Reuters pic
— World Today News (@worldtodaynews) July 2, 2025
“Pak Gov Update is one of 26 YouTube channels identified by Indicator that have used a mix of false claims and AI slop to cash in on the Diddy trial,”
—Craig Silverman, Co-founder of Indicator
In 2024, the online advertising industry’s revenue was estimated to be $225 billion in the U.S., indicating the financial incentives fueling the spread of this type of content (Statista 2024).
The Nature of AI-Driven Deception
YouTube has responded by terminating several channels identified by the Indicator for violating its terms of service. The content, referred to as “AI slop,” consists of often low-quality visual content that’s generated using readily available AI tools. This phenomenon blurs the lines between reality and fiction on social media.
Consequences and Broader Implications
Combs, aged 55, faces the possibility of life in prison if found guilty on five federal charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. False narratives and conspiracy theories surrounding his trial have permeated social media, potentially undermining real witness testimonies.
A song falsely attributed to Justin Bieber, titled I Lost Myself at a Diddy Party, recently gained millions of views, sparking theories about the relationship between Bieber and Combs. According to the disinformation watchdog NewsGuard, an AI tool likely created an audio clip of the song. Additionally, a manipulated image of Combs with Jeffrey Epstein alongside former US President Donald Trump circulated online.
