Debunked: Video of Donald Trump backing M23 rebel leader is a deepfake
A video falsely attributed to the BBC, circulating on WhatsApp, depicts a deepfake of U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly endorsing M23 rebel leader Corneille Nangaa and the group’s plan to march on Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The video claims Trump made these remarks during a meeting with U.S. governors, announcing on Nangaa’s behalf that M23 would reach Kinshasa by June. However, an investigation by the African Gazette has confirmed the video is entirely fabricated.
Key Findings
Deepfake Indicators: The video bears clear signs of manipulation, including mismatched fonts and logos inconsistent with BBC standards. The robotic audio tone further highlights its inauthenticity.
No Media Coverage: Neither U.S. media outlets (including the extensive VOA language services) nor BBC platforms reported any such statement by Trump, which would have been widely covered if true.
Official Records: Our review of the referenced Governor’s Working Session on 21 February 2025 found no mention of the DRC or M23 rebels.
Context
The M23 rebel group, active since 2012, has resurged in recent years under its military commander Sultani Makenga and political leader Corneille Nangaa.
The group has captured key territories in eastern DRC and is threatening to advance on Kinshasa.
The fake video praises Nangaa as a symbol of courage, attempting to legitimise M23’s actions amid heightened tensions between DRC and Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the rebels.
Deepfake Analysis
The video’s attempt to mimic BBC News fails due to poor graphic design and the absence of BBC’s “Content Credentials” metadata system, which verifies authentic content.
Additionally, the inclusion of Fox News branding mid-video further undermines its credibility.
Experts identified typical deepfake traits such as inconsistent visuals and AI-generated audio.
The content was cross-checked against official sources, confirming it as disinformation.
Bottom Line
Donald Trump did not endorse M23 or its leader Corneille Nangaa. Nangaa remains under U.S. sanctions for undermining democracy and collaborating with M23 rebels.
Current U.S. policy opposes M23’s activities, making the claims in the deepfake video baseless and misleading.