FACT-CHECK: Viral video of Donald Trump praising President Mahama is manipulated

A viral video circulating on social media has claimed that former U.S. President Donald Trump praised Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership and contributions to Ghana’s development. The video attributes a statement to Trump, stating, “I want to take a moment to appreciate President Mahama of Ghana for his leadership and dedication to the country’s progress.” This content has been widely shared on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, igniting discussions in light of Trump’s recent Executive Orders affecting various nations, including Ghana.

Fact-checking by GhanaFact revealed that the video was manipulated and likely AI-generated. A detailed analysis identified discrepancies in Trump’s lip movements and voice quality, both common indicators of such content. Using the Hive Moderation AI verification tool, the video received a score of 99.6%, indicating it was likely fabricated. The original clip appears to have originated from a March 7, 2025, media event at the White House, where Trump did not mention President Mahama or Ghana.

This investigation underscores the importance of verifying information shared on social media, especially in an era of increasing technological manipulation.

• Why it matters:
  • Increased awareness of misinformation can help readers discern credible news sources and improve media literacy.
  • Businesses should be cautious about relying on social media narratives that may be misleading or manipulated.
• The latest: The video has been debunked as AI-generated, clarifying the misleading information surrounding Trump’s alleged commendation of President Mahama.