Donald Trump sparks backlash for posting ‘photo’ with Dolly Parton
Donald Trump had come under fire for posting a bizarre AI tribute to Dolly Parton, with fans accusing him of ‘photoshopping himself into her legacy’.
The US President, 80, took to Truth Social on Thursday (27 August) to share a ‘photo’ of himself with the late ‘Jolene’ singer, who died this week following a brief battle with cancer.
But, after taking a closer look at the picture, which showed Trump and Dolly linking arms and walking together, people quickly realised that it was created using artificial intelligence, made to look like a drawing of the pair.
It immediately sparked outrage online, as one angry social media user penned: “It's just plain disrespectful to use the likes of a dead person, who can't speak against it themselves, to make himself seem more likeable.”
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While a second claimed: “There isn’t a single photo of Dolly with Trump during her 80 years of life. He had to wait until she passed away to fake one.”
A third wrote: “Truth Social, but the real truth is Dolly stood for everything he was against and was against him herself.”
And a fourth agreed: “She barely died this week and he keeps choosing to disrespect her.”
“AI has reached the point where remembering someone includes making up the memory,” pointed out a fifth.
While a sixth and seventh chimed in with: “He's really using a national treasure dying for clout, huh,” and “The way he photoshopped himself into Dolly's legacy is honestly the most on-brand thing he's ever done.”
It comes after the Republican leader’s initial tribute to the country icon on Tuesday (25 August).
Shortly after the news was announced, he wrote: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.
“This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
He continued: “In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one-week period beginning tonight at 6:00pm.
“Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
According to The Hill, the US President said in an interview with conservative talk show host Glenn Beck on Wednesday that Dolly ‘wasn’t political’ but ‘really liked him’.
He said: “She was unique. She was amazing, and to lose her, it’s like losing a member of the family.
“We all knew her so well. I knew her a little bit. She wasn’t a very political person. She really liked me, I will tell you.”
The singer didn’t talk about partisan politics by choice and never identified as a Republican or a Democrat.
However, she consistently spoke out about and supported important movements like women's rights, LGBTQ+ equality and Black Lives Matter.
She said in a 2020 interview with USA Today: “I don't like to get involved in politics, because first of all, I have as many Republican fans as I do Democrats.”
She added: “I don't want to offend anybody; I have a right to myself. Like God gave us free will, America gave us free speech, but you've got to be responsible for anything you say and do.”
Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Artificial intelligence, Politics, US News, Celebrity, Twitter
Madison Burgess