A breaking news deepfake video has circulated on social media spreading misinformation about Kyrsten Sinema who reportedly spoke on Bipartisanship then shortly after, enthusiastically introduced Donald Trump. 

The clip shows vision of Sinema holding up People magazine with a Fox 10 Phoenix news strap stating “Kyrsten Sinema appears with Donald Trump.” A PaulLeeTeeks watermark can be seen at the bottom right hand corner. The original video is from a 2015 presidential campaign rally in Las Vegas where a Trump supporter can be seen on the stage holding up the copy, not Sinema. 

The creator took to social media describing the deepfake as satirical in nature, addressing ‘newcomers’ who couldn’t grasp the concept of ‘political satire’ with profanities. “It’s fun, it’s funny – and if you’re being honest it’s not that far off from really happening,” Paul Lahticks said. The video is no longer online Lahticks’ Twitter account has been suspended. The response online is mainly negative with praise to NBC News Disinformation reporter, Ben Collins, alerting the public that this content is fake and generating high traction. Several people tweet they will be reporting the content and admitting on first glance it didn't appear fake, but some commended him on his previous parody work.

Who created the deepfake?

Paul Lahticks

Was the content disclosed as a deepfake?

No

Was the deepfake consensual?

No

How was the deepfake created?

Deepfake Software
Video Editing
File Footage