Trump faces backlash after sharing doctored image linking Kamala Harris to Diddy

Donald Trump is under fire again after sharing a doctored image falsely linking Kamala Harris to rapper Diddy.

Former President Donald Trump is once again at the center of controversy after sharing a digitally manipulated image on his Truth Social account, falsely suggesting Vice President Kamala Harris's involvement with rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rapper is currently facing legal trouble, including charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

The altered image was a modified version of a 2001 photograph that originally featured Harris with former talk show host Montel Williams and his daughter Ashley. In the doctored version, Williams' face was replaced with Combs', insinuating a connection between Harris and the artist. Trump's accompanying message falsely implied Harris's involvement in the disturbing allegations against Combs, including what prosecutors have referred to as “freak offs,” or prolonged sex acts involving victims.

This latest social media post from Trump follows a pattern of disinformation tactics he's been accused of using throughout the 2024 election cycle. Just weeks earlier, Trump shared AI-generated images of pop star Taylor Swift and her fans supposedly endorsing him, a move that sparked backlash among her supporters. Another manipulated image falsely depicted Harris addressing a crowd of communists at the Democratic National Convention. Both images have since been debunked as fake.

Although Trump's doctored Harris-Combs post was eventually deleted, it quickly backfired, as genuine photos of Trump and Combs resurfaced across social media platforms. These images, including clips from Trump’s 2012 appearance on Celebrity Apprentice where he called Combs a “good friend,” went viral, gaining millions of views. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel even highlighted the connection, pointing out the irony of Trump’s attempt to slander Harris while photos of his friendship with Combs circulated.

Kamala sure attended a lot of Diddy parties back in the day.

— LLCoolG🇺🇸 (@LDHITE22) September 17, 2024

trump posted a photoshopped image of Kamala Harris with Diddy yesterday. The original pic was with Monte Williams.

NO network media has reported on it.

Meanwhile — these are real.👇 pic.twitter.com/EcD6yR7ggF

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 22, 2024

The controversy also brought attention to a broader disinformation campaign aimed at the Harris-Walz ticket. Recent reports from Microsoft indicated that Russian-backed disinformation efforts have used deepfake technology to undermine Harris’s campaign, a strategy echoed by some of Trump’s supporters, including tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has openly endorsed Trump, also shared a manipulated video featuring Harris’s voice altered to spread false information.

 

Trump is now handing out cash to voters. pic.twitter.com/xG18Xsyp5w

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 23, 2024

 

26. Kamala Harris is a communist and her word choices give it away. “Equitable distribution” “equity”

It’s a repackaged version of Karl Marx’ popularized slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” meaning a redistribution of wealth. pic.twitter.com/WlETamsJUy

— (•_•) (@AsTheWorldBurnz) August 2, 2024

This isn’t the first time Trump has used doctored media in his political attacks. From manipulated photos of Taylor Swift to false claims about Haitian immigrants abducting pets, his tactics have repeatedly drawn criticism. Despite facing multiple legal challenges himself, including several indictments, Trump continues to dominate headlines, keeping disinformation a key issue in the 2024 election.

As the election draws closer, both parties are grappling with the growing threat of AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, and the impact of social media on public perception.