William Martin, the vice president’s communications director, has clarified that the recording is not authentic and was generated using artificial intelligence. He stated, “Most certainly not the Vice President,” and included a link to a post that has since been removed.
Vice President Vance also addressed the misleading video on X, asserting, “It’s a fake AI-generated clip. I’m not surprised this individual lacks the intelligence to recognize this fact, but I question whether he possesses the integrity to remove it now that he is aware it is false. If he does not, it could be considered defamation. We shall see!”
As AI technology advances and becomes more prevalent, the proliferation of misleading video and audio content produced by AI is escalating rapidly.
The audio quality is poor and distorted, leaving its origin unclear. Additionally, it raises questions about why a random social media account would possess a private recording of the vice president, a scenario that seems highly improbable.
The video appears to have originated from the TikTok account Joseiitalia, where it has already amassed 1.5 million views. It was also shared on X, garnering over 500,000 views, and has been featured in multiple Reddit discussions.
In the recording, the individual impersonating Vance makes disparaging remarks about Musk, stating: “Everything that he’s doing is getting criticized in the media, and he claims he’s helping, but he’s not; he’s making us look bad.”
The voice further claims, “he’s making me look bad,” and “he has the audacity to act as if he is an elected official. I am an elected official; I am the important one in this situation.”
This incident unfolds as the Trump administration faces a significant security breach this week.
President Donald Trump responded on Monday to The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg after the reporter revealed he was unintentionally included in a group chat where senior Cabinet officials discussed airstrikes on Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
Goldberg disclosed that he had a conversation with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz via Signal and was unexpectedly added to a group chat a few days later, titled “Houthi PC small group.”
In this chat, officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard deliberated on potential strikes against the Houthis, particularly in light of disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East.
When asked about the situation, Trump stated he was unaware of the reports regarding Goldberg’s unintentional inclusion in the conversation.
“I don’t know anything about it. I’m not particularly fond of The Atlantic. To me, it seems like a magazine on the verge of going out of business. I don’t think highly of it, but I have no knowledge of this. What are you saying they discussed?” Trump began. “What was the topic? The Houthis? You mean the attack on the Houthis? Well, it couldn’t have been very effective because the attack was quite successful, I can assure you. I don’t know anything about it. This is the first I’m hearing of it,” he added.
The messages appeared to indicate that senior Trump officials were weighing the implications of the strikes.
Vance expressed concerns about assisting Europe without any assurance of reciprocal benefits, as the Houthi attacks primarily impacted their trade routes.
“I am uncertain if the president realizes how contradictory this is to his current stance on Europe,” Vance communicated to his colleagues. “There is also a significant risk of a moderate to severe increase in oil prices. I am prepared to support the team’s consensus and keep these concerns private. However, there is a compelling case for postponing this for a month, to work on the messaging regarding its importance, and to assess the economic situation, among other factors.” Hegseth responded to Vance, “I understand your concerns and fully support you bringing this up with the President.” He also emphasized that prompt action would prevent the United States from appearing “indecisive” and would help maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.
Waltz stated, “Regardless of whether it happens now or in a few weeks, it will be the responsibility of the United States to reopen these shipping routes.” He added, “At the president’s direction, we are collaborating with the Department of Defense and the State Department to assess the associated costs and impose them on the Europeans.”
Vance expressed his frustration, saying, “I really dislike having to bail out Europe once more,” but he told Hegseth, “If you believe we should proceed, then let’s do it.”
Hegseth responded, “Vice President: I completely share your disdain for European dependency. It is indeed disgraceful. However, Mike is right; we are the only nation capable of undertaking this task. No one else comes close.”
