Image of Ousted Syrian President Assad with TV Host Tucker Carlson Is AI-Generated
The Claim
Tucker Carlson did an interview with Bashar al-Assad. That would be a bomb.
News posted on
Emerging story
After Bashar al-Assad fled Syria to Moscow, social media users widely shared an image purporting to feature Assad meeting with television host and political commentator Tucker Carlson.
Users alleged that Carlson interviewed the recently ousted Syrian president in Moscow, with one post stating, “Tucker Carlson did an interview with Bashar al-Assad. That would be a bomb.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral image and found it to be fake.
Misbar’s thorough investigation found the image to be AI-generated.
AI-Generated Image of Ousted President Assad with Tucker Carlson
Contrary to social media users’ viral claim of Carlson interviewing Bashar al-Assad in Moscow, the image showing the two figures is AI.
Several inconsistencies in the image confirm it is AI. For example, Bashar al-Assad's fingers clutching the glass of water appear unnaturally positioned. In addition, the wrinkles and eyes on Assad's face exhibit unrealistic, digitally rendered features.
Also, the photo’s corner clearly shows that it was created using the Grok image generation AI.
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, introduced the feature in August 2024 allowing users to generate realistic images from text prompts and share them on X.
Furthermore, no media outlets reported Tucker Carlson interviewing or meeting the former Syrian president. Moreover, Bashar al-Assad has remained absent from TV appearances since he arrived in Moscow.
Who Is TV Host Tucker Carlson?
Tucker Carlson is an American conservative pundit and former cable television talk show host. He gained prominence for helping to bring far-right viewpoints and language into the mainstream of American politics.
Carlson is known for his extreme stances on political and social issues, his support for white nationalism, and his backing of authoritarian leaders abroad. He frequently uses controversial or misleading claims, including unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Carlson wielded significant influence over Republican President Donald Trump through his television appearances and writings.
Carlson also became the first Western journalist to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
After the collapse of the Assad regime, Tucker Carlson's YouTube channel uploaded a video in which he questioned why groups funded to kill Assad were targeting a leader who, according to Carlson, protected religious minorities.
Bashar al-Assad Fled to Moscow After the Regime Collapse
Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow, where his long-time ally, Russia, granted him asylum, according to Russian media reports.
This came just hours after a surprising rebel advance seized control of Damascus, effectively ending his family’s 50-year rule.
Russian agencies Tass and RIA reported Assad's arrival in Moscow, citing an unnamed source at the Kremlin. RIA also mentioned that the Syrian opposition ensured the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria.
Syrian state television aired an opposition statement declaring that fighters overthrew Assad and released all prisoners. The statement called on the people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state.”
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