Trump posts fake AI-video showing Obama being arrested with ‘YMCA' and meme turned hate symbol
The July 20 post on social was a TikTok video by an account named "neo8171," with a montage of Democratic elected officials saying "no one is above the law." While it is unclear where the clips were from, Democrats have used that phrase when talking about Trump's criminal cases, including an arrest in Georgia and a felony conviction in New York.
The video then shows Pepe the Frog, a popular internet meme that was added to a hate symbol database during the 2016 election.
As "YMCA" starts to play, the video shows Trump and Obama sitting in the Oval Office, and an artificially rendered scene shows FBI agents dragging Obama out of his chair and cuffing his hands behind his back. The fake video then shows Obama in an orange jumpsuit in jail. A representative for Obama declined to comment about the fake AI video.
Trump and Pepe the Frog: 2016 campaign turned meme political. Then it became a hate symbol
#ArrestObama trends on Truth Social after Tulsi Gabbard claims
On July 18, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a press release saying she had evidence that the Obama administration after the 2016 election produced "politicized intelligence that was used as the basis for countless smears seeking to delegitimize President Trump's victory."
In 2020, a Republican-led, bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee backed the conclusion of the intelligence agencies that found Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump. Trump had long said the investigation into his campaign was a hoax.
Ranking Member on the Intelligence Committee Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, said Gabbard's new claim is a "dangerous lie," while speaking on CBS News' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," on July 20. He said Gabbard is using a "sleight of hand" by focusing on intelligence about Russia's failed voting infrastructure manipulation rather than Russia's meddling to discredit Trump's 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
Appearing on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Gabbard said she intended to send her findings to the Department of Justice and the FBI for criminal referral. Trump also shared excerpts from Gabbard's interviews to Truth Social.
'As is always the case, President Trump was right about the Obama-Biden administration's clear involvement in the greatest witch hunt in American history and the genesis of the decade-long hoax saga that tore our nation apart and undermined the will of the people," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in an emailed statement. "The President and his entire administration are committed to unearthing wrongdoing and holding any individual accountable for this gross abuse of power and blatant conspiracy against President Trump and his supporters.'
Pepe the Frog became political, then hate symbol, during 2016 election
The frog doodle in clown accessories that flashes in the video is known as Pepe the Frog, and its appearance in Trump's social media posts has sparked interest before.
Pepe the Frog started as a character from a comic series, "Boy's Club" by Matt Furie in 2005, according to Know Your Meme.
While the somewhat sad-looking frog did not have racist or antisemitic origins, its proliferation through the internet as a meme led to its adaptation into something of a symbol for single men who felt they were on the social outskirts, Know Your Meme editor Brad Kim told the New York Times in 2016. But Kim said it became political when Trump shared a Trump-ified version of Pepe in October 2015.
"Pepe plugged into the ideology of the alt-right because it was a reaction against the people they call 'normies,'" Kim told the New York Times. "Pepe had been a symbol of the disenfranchised, social outcasts. It was Trump's natural audience."
In 2016, the Anti-Defamation League added Pepe the Frog to its list of hate symbols, though the organization notes many uses of this meme are still not rooted in bigotry or hate.
"The number of 'alt right' Pepe memes has grown, a tendency exacerbated by the controversial and contentious 2016 presidential election," Pepe's ADL page states. "However, because so many Pepe the Frog memes are not bigoted in nature, it is important to examine use of the meme only in context."
Contributing: Kevin Johnson, Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump posts video of Obama being arrested on Truth Social. It is fake
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"They'll cross the street in a group," Powell said of companies raising prices together, citing as an example the price hikes on both washing machines and dryers that occurred during the first Trump administration, even though only washing machine imports faced higher tariffs. Powell's comments echoed some of what we've heard from companies so far this earnings season. While companies haven't hiked prices across the board, some with businesses most exposed to President Trump's tariffs have noted that they will raise prices to protect margins and offset higher costs. Procter & Gamble (PG), for instance, said on Tuesday it would raise prices by about 2.5% across its portfolio. Mondelez (MDLZ) also said it plans to raise prices, though with a "surgical" approach amid some signs of consumer stress. And L'Oréal affirmed plans to raise prices to offset higher costs from tariffs. Graco Inc. (GGG), a Minneapolis-based industrial equipment manufacturer, said it waited to see what its competitors did on price before taking a price increase. "That gave us the opportunity and the confidence to know that we could also do the same thing," CEO Mark Sheahan said. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that the central bank is seeing the "early beginnings" of tariff inflation on goods. "They'll cross the street in a group," Powell said of companies raising prices together, citing as an example the price hikes on both washing machines and dryers that occurred during the first Trump administration, even though only washing machine imports faced higher tariffs. Powell's comments echoed some of what we've heard from companies so far this earnings season. 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Trump ends tariff break for low-value goods in blow to online retailers President Trump is ending a policy that spared lower-value goods from being impacted by tariffs. The policy will come to an end in late August and will impact goods valued at less than $800. Bloomberg reports: Read more here from Bloomberg. President Trump is ending a policy that spared lower-value goods from being impacted by tariffs. The policy will come to an end in late August and will impact goods valued at less than $800. Bloomberg reports: Read more here from Bloomberg. Trump signs order to justify 50% tariffs on Brazil President Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil by citing a 1977 law that revolves around the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. AP reports: Read more here. President Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil by citing a 1977 law that revolves around the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. AP reports: Read more here. Fed's Powell speaks on tariff effects on inflation: 'It doesn't feel like we're very close to the end' Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that increased tariffs are beginning to push up inflation in some categories, but longer-term inflation expectations remain anchored around the central bank's 2% goal. "Higher tariffs have begun to show through more clearly to prices of some goods, but their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remain to be seen," Powell said in a press conference after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. Powell reiterated that central bank policymakers remain in wait-and-see mode. Though two policymakers dissented during the FOMC's meeting for the first time since 1993, as the effects of President Trump's tariff policies have divided central banker. 'It's been a very dynamic time for these trade negotiations, and lots and lots of events in the intermeeting period," Powell continued. "But we're still, you know, a ways away from seeing where things settle down." "It doesn't feel like we're very close to the end of that [trade negotiation] process, and that's not for us to judge, but it feels like there's much more to come." Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that increased tariffs are beginning to push up inflation in some categories, but longer-term inflation expectations remain anchored around the central bank's 2% goal. "Higher tariffs have begun to show through more clearly to prices of some goods, but their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remain to be seen," Powell said in a press conference after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. Powell reiterated that central bank policymakers remain in wait-and-see mode. Though two policymakers dissented during the FOMC's meeting for the first time since 1993, as the effects of President Trump's tariff policies have divided central banker. 'It's been a very dynamic time for these trade negotiations, and lots and lots of events in the intermeeting period," Powell continued. "But we're still, you know, a ways away from seeing where things settle down." "It doesn't feel like we're very close to the end of that [trade negotiation] process, and that's not for us to judge, but it feels like there's much more to come." Trump administration announces 50% tariffs on some copper imports President Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday to impose 50% tariffs on certain copper imports starting Aug. 1. According to a White House fact sheet, "The Proclamation imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1." The measure came after a US investigation under Section 323, which US President Donald Trump ordered in February. The tariffs do not apply to the copper content of a product and they do not stack with auto 232 tariffs. Copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) and copper scrap are also exempt from the measure. Read more here from Reuters. President Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday to impose 50% tariffs on certain copper imports starting Aug. 1. According to a White House fact sheet, "The Proclamation imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1." The measure came after a US investigation under Section 323, which US President Donald Trump ordered in February. The tariffs do not apply to the copper content of a product and they do not stack with auto 232 tariffs. Copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) and copper scrap are also exempt from the measure. Read more here from Reuters. Trump's trade deals come with few details to flesh out big numbers President Trump has announced a flurry of trade agreements, but many so far are proving light on detail, with key aspects still under negotiation, partners giving mixed signals about what they signed up for, and big numbers shrinking under scrutiny. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. President Trump has announced a flurry of trade agreements, but many so far are proving light on detail, with key aspects still under negotiation, partners giving mixed signals about what they signed up for, and big numbers shrinking under scrutiny. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Hershey grows optimistic about cocoa tariff exemption as the company cuts guidance Hershey (HSY) is hoping for a Trump administration reprieve on tariffs as rising cocoa prices weigh on its full-year outlook. "I would say that we are even more optimistic now," Hershey CEO Michele Buck said on the company's earnings call. "As we've had conversations over the past several months, we have become increasingly comfortable that the government administration understands some of our concerns about the fact that cocoa can only be grown and sourced outside of the US." Buck cited comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in recent days that left the door open for an exemption for cocoa products. "If you grow something and we don't grow it, that can come in for zero [tariffs]," Lutnick said on CNBC's Squawk Box on Tuesday. "So if we do a deal with a country that grows mangos, pineapple, then they can come in without a tariff. ... Coffee and cocoa will be other examples of natural resources," Lutnick added. Hershey plans to raise prices, though Buck stated that the price increases "had nothing to do with tariffs." For the year, Hershey expects to see a $170 million to $180 million cost headwind from tariffs. "We'll continue to press on tariffs relative to the cocoa exemption," Buck said, adding: "That's sort of out of our control, but [we] continue to lean there." Hershey (HSY) is hoping for a Trump administration reprieve on tariffs as rising cocoa prices weigh on its full-year outlook. "I would say that we are even more optimistic now," Hershey CEO Michele Buck said on the company's earnings call. "As we've had conversations over the past several months, we have become increasingly comfortable that the government administration understands some of our concerns about the fact that cocoa can only be grown and sourced outside of the US." Buck cited comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in recent days that left the door open for an exemption for cocoa products. "If you grow something and we don't grow it, that can come in for zero [tariffs]," Lutnick said on CNBC's Squawk Box on Tuesday. "So if we do a deal with a country that grows mangos, pineapple, then they can come in without a tariff. ... Coffee and cocoa will be other examples of natural resources," Lutnick added. Hershey plans to raise prices, though Buck stated that the price increases "had nothing to do with tariffs." For the year, Hershey expects to see a $170 million to $180 million cost headwind from tariffs. "We'll continue to press on tariffs relative to the cocoa exemption," Buck said, adding: "That's sort of out of our control, but [we] continue to lean there." India-US trade talks go off rails on row over farm markets Indian officials were initially confident of a trade agreement with the US, but now negotiations appear complicated by the US's announcement that it will impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting Aug. 1. India's high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers remain sticking points, especially concerning agriculture. India imposes an average most-favored-nation tariff of 39% on imported farm goods, compared to 5% in the US. Reuters breaks down some of the key issues in focus: Read more here. Indian officials were initially confident of a trade agreement with the US, but now negotiations appear complicated by the US's announcement that it will impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting Aug. 1. India's high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers remain sticking points, especially concerning agriculture. India imposes an average most-favored-nation tariff of 39% on imported farm goods, compared to 5% in the US. Reuters breaks down some of the key issues in focus: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
19 minutes ago
- Axios
Gauging the eco effects of Illinois data centers
Illinois data centers are already boosting local electric bills. Now, a new analysis by an activist group says they're also driving up CO2 emissions in ways that are sometimes misrepresented. Why it matters: The Land of Lincoln hosts at least 222 data centers, the fifth highest of any state, with Chicago being home to more than 160. Energy consumption and emissions from these centers have spiked with the exponential growth of AI use but clear data on exactly how much remains elusive. The contention: Earlier this year, Google released a sustainability report saying that its U.S. data center emissions fell by 12% from 2023 to 2024. Yes, but: Digital environmental justice group Kairos says those figures only reflect "market-based" emissions that are calculated by taking into account renewable energy the company has purchased to offset its emissions. Using Google's self-reported data, Kairos calculates the company's "location-based" scope 2 emissions, which don't take into account offsets, grew by 22% from 2023 to 2024. What they're saying:"The analysis by the Kairos Fellowship distorts the facts," a Google spokesperson told Axios. "Our carbon emissions are calculated according to the widely used Greenhouse Gas Protocol and assured by a third party. Our carbon reduction ambition has been validated by the leading industry body, the Science Based Targets initiative." The other side:"Google's PR team can whip up evasive talking points, name-checking industry-standard protocols and organizations, but it cannot hide from the truth: Google's own third-party-assured data reveals that the corporation has utterly failed to decrease its emissions — by any amount," Franz Michael, co-author of the Kairos report, responded. Reality check: Google is considered one of the nation's more eco-minded tech companies, with bigger goals and more transparency than other tech giants, Natural Resources Defense Council energy specialist Jackson Morris tells Axios. The company is also just one of many that operate data centers in Illinois. The fine print: Andrew Chien, UChicago professor of computer science and senior computer scientist at Argonne National Labs, tells Axios that Google is using a widely accepted accounting practice, but it doesn't capture the company's full responsibility for carbon emissions. "Data centers consume a real-time grid mix of generation, not the power transacted in [purchasing agreements]," says Chien. "Location-based accounting captures this reality, attributing carbon emissions for power consumption more fairly and holding data center companies directly accountable for their environmental impact, which is growing explosively with proliferating AI and Cloud data centers." The intrigue: While many applications are driving data center energy demands, Kairos noted that Google's energy consumption increased with the recent expansion of Gemini and automatic AI overviews on Google searches. Studies by Goldman Sachs and others show that AI-powered queries use 6-10 times more energy than a conventional Google search. How it works: Those who want to turn off the AI overview feature on a per search basis can do so by typing "-ai" after the query. When Axios asked why the company doesn't allow users to disable the AI feature indefinitely, Google sustainability representative Mara Harris said: "Our extensive testing shows that people find their results much more helpful with AI Overviews — so helpful that they come back and search on Google more often." Meanwhile: Legislation by state Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) to require data centers to disclose information on their water and energy failed in Springfield this year.
