Debunking the Claim of a Fake Image from Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s Rally
Recently, a claim surfaced on social media alleging that an image from Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s rally near Detroit was manipulated using artificial intelligence. The claim was made by former President Donald Trump, who suggested that the image was falsified to create an illusion of a larger crowd. But is there any truth to this claim?
Trump has a history of exaggerating the size of his rally crowds compared to his political opponents. In this case, he insinuated that Harris used AI to fabricate a massive crowd at the rally. However, there is no evidence to support Trump’s assertion that the image is fake.
The Real Story Behind the Image
Several reputable news organizations have confirmed the authenticity of the image by publishing photos and videos from the same event, all showing a large crowd gathered at the rally in Romulus, Michigan. The Associated Press, Michigan Live, and other outlets covered the rally and reported an estimated attendance of around 15,000 people.
Additionally, a reverse image search conducted by VERIFY traced the viral photo back to a post by Bhavik Lathia, the campaign mobilization director for the Harris-Walz team in battleground states. Lathia’s post and other attendee photos corroborate the size of the crowd shown in the image.
Moreover, thorough analysis has found no evidence of AI manipulation in the photo. Images produced using AI often contain artifacts that are absent in this image. Various sources, including Isabella Murray from ABC News and Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow, have shared photos and videos from the rally that align with the viral image.
Conclusion: The Image is Authentic
Despite the claims made by Trump and others, there is no credible evidence to suggest that the image from Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s rally near Detroit was fabricated using artificial intelligence. Multiple sources have verified the authenticity of the photo, dispelling the misinformation circulating on social media.
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