Tag Archives: Michigan

Did Harris-Walz campaign use fake AI crowd photos?!

Claim : Harris-Walz campaign used fake AI crowd photos!

Some people are sharing photos, which they claim prove that the Harris-Walz campaign got caught using fake crowd photos created using generative AI technology!

Donald Trump : Has anyone noticed that Kamala CHEATED at the airport? There was nobody at the plane, and she “A.l.’d” it, and showed a massive “crowd” of so-called followers, BUT THEY DIDN’T EXIST! She was turned in by a maintenance worker at the airport when he noticed the fake crowd picture, but there was nobody there, later confirmed by the reflection of the mirror like finish on the Vice Presidential Plane. She’s a CHEATER. She had NOBODY waiting, and the “crowd” looked like 10,000 people! Same thing is happening with her fake “crowds” at her speeches. This is the way the Democrats win Elections, by CHEATING – And they’re even worse at the Ballot Box. She should be disqualified because the creation of a fake image is ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Anyone who does that will cheat at ANYTHING!

Dinesh D’Souza : Check the reflection in the plane. Does this look like a real picture to you?

Catturd : LOL – it’s not even good AI.

Chuck Callesto : BREAKING REPORT: Harris campaign BUSTED using FAKE crowd photo at campaign rally stop..

Blaire White (screenshot) : Kamala Harris using AI to inflate crowds is so INSANE that it’s taken me seeing 5+ examples to believe it.

Laura Loomer : Kamala Harris’s campaign is using AI to manipulate her campaign photos and videos. And it’s all being orchestrated by @MikeNellis, a senior advisor to Kamala Harris who works with Loren Merchan, the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan as I have previously reported.

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Truth : Harris-Walz campaign did not use fake AI crowd photos!

This is yet another example of fake news about the 2024 US Presidential election, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Airport photo is genuine and was not created by AI

Many people, including former President Donald Trump, falsely claimed that the Harris-Walz campaign faked photos of the crowd that greeted Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The photo is genuine, and is one of the many taken and posted by people who attended the event, which was attended by thousands of people, as well as prominent politicians. It was also live streamed by dozens of news channel.

In addition, Shayan Sardarizadeh of BBC Verify checked the metadata of the original photo, and confirmed that it was taken using an iPhone 12 Pro Max on 7 August at 18:28 local time.

While it is possible that some photos might have been digitally manipulated to make them appear fake, or created by generative AI software, the size of the crowd is indisputable. According to the local news outlet MLive, “about about 15,000 people filled the hangar, the crowd spilling out onto the tarmac.”

Fact #2 : Telephoto lens make the crowd appear closer than it really is

People are pointing to the reflection of Air Force Two’s fuselage and engine cowling, which appear to show the hangar but no sign of any people. That does not mean the photo was created by AI.

For one thing – the photo appears to have been taken using a telephoto lens, which makes the crowd appear much closer to Air Force Two than it really is.

As this video below shows, the crowd was actually located close to the hangar, and a considerable distance away from Air Force Two. Hence, they would not be so obviously seen in the reflection of Air Force Two’s fuselage or engine cowling.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Harris-Walz-Michigan-airport-video-360p.mp4?_=1

Fact #3 : Reflections are “compressed” on curved surfaces

The second reason why you don’t see the large crowds visibly reflected on Air Force Two’s fuselage and engine cowling is because they are curved surfaces, on which reflections would appear compressed.

It may seem silly but let me just point out that the fuselage and engine cowling of Air Force Two are cylindrical. Like funhouse mirrors, shiny cylindrical surfaces distort reflections, and will not reflect an image like a flat mirror.

If you look closely, you can see how the hangar appears compressed vertically – it appears to be very long, but squashed flat, like someone sat on it. You can actually see the crowd in that photo – it just appears as a dark line because its reflection was compressed vertically by the curved surface.

This video, which was created by someone else (sorry, I don’t know who, but will update this article with the correct credit when I identify the creator) recreated the scene using Blender, to show and explain why the crowd’s reflection can be seen in the photo – they just appear compressed.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kamala-Harris-fake-crowd-video-360p.mp4?_=2

Fact #4 : Air Force Two no longer has tail number

Some conspiracists pointed out that the aircraft in the photo lacks a tail number, with some pointing out that Air Force Two should have the tail number 80002.

While generative AI can and do create images with distorted or even missing text, that is no the case with the viral photo of Air Force Two at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The truth is – the US Air Force started removing tail numbers and other individually-identifying markings from its C-32A and C-32B executive and personnel transport jets for operational security reasons.

In fact, when JD Vance – the Republican candidate for Vice President recently walked up to Air Force Two in Wisconsin on 7 August 2024, photos and videos clearly show that it lacked any tail number.

Fact #5 : AI stadium crowd photo was not created by Harris-Walz campaign

The viral stadium photo, which purportedly shows supporters of the Harris-Walz campaign, was created using generative AI software. There are many obvious signs of generative AI in that viral photo, as many people have pointed out.

However, it was not created or shared by the Harris-Walz campaign. It was created and posted (archive) by a parody account on X (formerly Twitter) called Dr. Literaleigh A Pheline 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈 (@Sarcasmcat24).

When American YouTuber and political commentator, Blair White, shared that photo, @Sarcasmcat24 pointed out to her that it was AI-generated:

That’s a photo that I generated with AI

Zoom in a bit, you’ll see that the faces aren’t even well developed.

Yeah, I run a parody account, glad you enjoyed the post! 😜

White has since deleted her post, but many continue to post this fake photo (on the right) and falsely claim that it was posted or created by the Harris-Walz campaign. That’s simply not true.

Fact #6 : This is just political fake news

Ultimately, this is yet another example of political fake news surrounding the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election. Here are some other examples I fact checked recently:

As the 2024 US Presidential election draws close, you can expect more of such fake news to appear, so be wary and skeptical!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Has Michigan begun arresting people for posting fake news?!

Claim : Michigan has begun arresting people for posting fake news!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that the state of Michigan has begun arresting people for posting fake news on social media!

Here is an excerpt of the long and (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Michigan Begins Arresting Residents Who Post ‘Misleading’ Content on Social Media

The state of Michigan has ordered residents to report neighbors who post ‘misleading’ content online, so that police can arrest offenders to stop the spread of ‘election misinformation’.

Michigan’s Democrat Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, is leading the campaign, and a document from her office lists an email address people can use to report their neighbors. Residents are being told to keep an eye on those around them and report anything they see or hear that they believe is “misinformation” – and they are even being told to include an image if they can.

The state is also instructing residents to look for media outlets that print “true” stories, which sounds like a code word for stories that support their preferred narratives. For example, they list the left-leaning fact check sites Snopes, FactCheck.org and PolitiFact as “trusted, verified nonpartisan information” providers, along with Michigan’s own “SOSFactCheck” site. The Bureau claims it can debunk so-called conspiracy theories and verify the “accuracy of political speech” in addition to debates, statements, ads and interviews.

Michigan is the same state whose Attorney General recently threatened to prosecute a resident for spreading what they deem “misleading or false” election information. This is according to a letter received by Ross Township resident Kerry Lynn Elieff after posting concerns on June 12 about changes to polling locations.

The “cease and desist” letter was dated July 24, and it contained a threat of prosecution from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. It stated: “It has come to the attention of our office that you have spread misleading or false election information regarding polling locations in Ross Township through on-line sites.”

The letter warns: “[Y]ou are hereby ordered to CEASE AND DESIST the use of online platforms to continue spreading false or misleading information regarding the Ross Township polling locations. Failure to comply with this notice may result in criminal prosecution.”

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Truth : Michigan is not arresting people for posting fake news!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Michigan is not arresting people for posting general fake news

Let me start by pointing out that Michigan has not begun arresting people for posting general misinformation or fake news on social media, and neither is it planning to arrest people who choose to do that.

If that actually happened, it would have been reportedly widely by the mainstream media. Yet, there has been no legitimate news report on such arrests, and there has been no outrage about the infringement of free speech. That’s because it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not provide any evidence that Michigan is actually arresting people for posting general misinformation or fake news on social media. In fact, the words “arresting” and “arrest” only appear once in its title and lede respectively, but nowhere else in the rest of the article!

Fact #2 : Secretary Benson only asked people to report election misinformation

On May 8, 2024, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson warned the public about the dangers of election misinformation, just six months before the 2024 Presidential election.

We know 2024 is going to be a noisy year for us in Michigan because the path to the presidency runs right through our state.

She reminded people that political campaign ads that use AI must be clearly marked, and it is illegal for anyone to use AI-generated photos or videos to purposefully mislead the public. Then she called on people to report [election] misinformation when they see it.

When you find misinformation or if you see something questionable, of course, don’t share it, but please expose it. Please report it.

At no point in time did she ever threaten to arrest people who post fake news on social media. She only asked people to report election misinformation. Now, why would anyone be opposed to reporting election misinformation?

Fact #3 : Michigan has long had laws against election interference

While free speech is protected in the United States, election interference is not. Hence, it is illegal to spread misleading or false information that can interfere with elections in Michigan, or any other state.

In Michigan, the Michigan Election Law (Act 116 of 1954) includes provisions related to election integrity and criminal penalties for various types of election-related fraud. For example, Section 168.931 makes it illegal to wilfully or knowingly create or provide false information with the intent to deceive people about the election process, or to change the outcome of elections.

So yes, it is possible for people in Michigan to get arrested for creating or spreading fake news or misinformation to mislead people about the election process, or to influence any election outcome. However, as you can tell – this law isn’t new. It has been in effect since 1954.

Fact #4 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Mike Batayeh Die Suddenly From Vaccine SADS?!

Claim : Mike Batayeh Died Suddenly From Vaccine SADS!

Right after news broke that Mike Batayeh died suddenly in his sleep, anti-vaccination activists immediately claimed that the 52 year-old Breaking Bad actor was a victim of COVID-19 vaccine sudden adult death syndrome (SADS)!

Died Suddenly : Another actor #DiedSuddenly
Mike Batayeh suffered a heart attack in his sleep. He was only 52 years old 💉
Reminder: A majority of actors were mandated to take the Covid Vaccine in order to even show up on set.

ANOYHER COVID VACCINE CASE??? ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Mike Batayeh dead at 52

Another victim of the media/gov’t/medical field vax lies!
Triple-boosted & dead – I guess it worked- he can’t catch anything ever again! 😡

“Breaking Bad’ actor Mike Batayeh dead at 52”

Truth : Mike Batayeh Did Not Die From Vaccine SADS!

It’s now tradition for anti-vaccination activists to blame all celebrity deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are the reasons why this is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists…

Fact #1 : Mike Batayeh Died From Suicide!

Actor and comedian Mike Batayeh (born Michael Batayeh on 27 December 1970) played Dennis Markowski – the manager of Gustavo Fring’s Lavandería Brillante industrial laundromat in three episodes of Breaking Bad, from 2011-2012.

According to his sister, Diane, Mike Batayeh died suddenly in his sleep from a heart attack, at his Michigan home on June 1, 2023. He was survived by five sisters, and many nephews and nieces.

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that my sisters and I announce the passing of our dear brother @Mike Batayeh on Thursday June 1 2023. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many. Funeral arrangements will be posted at a later date. #mikebatayeh #mikebatayehbreakingbad

However, the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed on June 13, that Mike Batayeh’s official cause of death was “asphyxia hanging“. In other words, Mike Batayeh committed suicide.

Fact #2 : Law Enforcement Was Called To His Apartment

According to a police report, the Pittsfield Township Police Department was called to Mike Batayeh’s third-floor, one-bedroom apartment for an “unattended death” and “possible suicide”.

A male relative who filed the report said that he was aware of Mike Batayeh’s “turbulent mental health”, and Batayeh had spent a weekend with him late last month to “distract himself”. The relative also said that Mike Batayeh attempted suicide about a decade ago.

The police report also noted that another witness, identified as his therapist, claimed that Mike Batayeh had been his client “off and on for the past seven years”, and the witness had become concerned when Batayeh missed a scheduled appointment on the morning he died.

Fact #3 : Mike Batayeh Tweeted About Suicide Earlier

Mike Batayeh posted several times about suicide on Twitter:

April 9, 2015 : Let’s face it…..Jesus was suicidal and as a roman Catholic I was taught suicide is a SIN….Double stan[d]ard because he was the bosses son.
April 17, 2016 : You ever been so bored you contemplate suicide just because it’s something to do?
Nov. 20, 2019 : Holiday season is here. It’s a time of reflection and rebirth. It’s also a time of depression and suicide. It’s all perspective. #tistheseason

Fact #4 : Mike Batayeh Was Fully Vaccinated In May 2021

Mike Batayeh was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, after receiving his first Moderna vaccine dose on April 9, 2021, and his second dose on May 7, 2021.

I’m a card carrying member of the “New World Order”.
#vaccinator #covid #novid

While it is unknown if he received a booster dose, it is plausible he may have received one in December 2021.

2021 Christmas tip:

Covid boosters make a great stocking stuffer this season.
#christmas #covidvacccine

I should point out that the last acting gig Mike Batayeh participated in was a TV movie called Prank of America in 2018. There is no evidence Batayeh was “forced” to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in any filming.

Fact #5 : Claims Of COVID-19 Vaccine Deaths / Injuries Often Proven False

Sadly, Mike Batayeh joins the long list of people falsely accused of being injured or killed by the COVID-19 vaccine.

The vast majority of claims of sudden deaths / injuries due to the COVID-19 vaccine have been proven false. Here is the latest dozen of other false sudden death claims!

Will these anti-vaccination activists apologise for lying to you? Nope! They will just move on to the next celebrity tragedy…

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

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