In a move that has sparked a wave of criticism from Democrats, the White House has utilized OpenAI's latest image-generation trend to create a "Studio Ghibli"-style AI meme of a detained illegal immigrant and convicted fentanyl dealer.
The AI illustration, which was posted on the White House's X and Instagram account, portrays the arrest of Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, a 36-year-old drug trafficker who had previously been deported from the U.S. for fentanyl distribution.
According to One America News, Basora-Gonzalez had reentered the United States illegally after her deportation and was detained by ICE agents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania earlier this month. The image shared by the White House, which shows Basora-Gonzalez in tears as she is handcuffed, has been likened to the ChatGPT image generator that is currently trending on social media. This generator allows users to transform internet memes or personal images into the unique aesthetic of Studio Ghibli, a renowned Japanese animation studio.
Basora-Gonzalez, who is still reportedly in federal custody, was living in the United States illegally when she was first apprehended by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in June 2019. She was charged with aiding and abetting and carrying 40 grams or more of fentanyl. After serving a one-year sentence, she pleaded guilty to the charges and was deported to the Dominican Republic in 2020. However, the exact date of her second illegal entry into the United States remains unknown. It was reported that an anonymous source tipped off ICE about her presence in the country in early March.
Brian McShane, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting field office director, stated, "The apprehension of Virginia Basora-Gonzalez demonstrates our commitment to protecting our communities from criminal aliens who engage in serious illegal activities that pose a threat to public safety. This successful joint operation exemplifies the collaborative efforts of federal law enforcement agencies to enforce our nation's immigration laws and remove dangerous individuals from our streets."
Fentanyl, the drug Basora-Gonzalez was dealing, has been responsible for a staggering number of deaths in the United States. In 2022 alone, it caused 200 deaths every day, and since 2018, over a quarter of a million Americans have died from a fentanyl overdose, according to USA Facts. These figures, however, only account for data up to 2022, suggesting that the actual death toll is likely much higher.
The White House's post has incited a flurry of reactions from left-wing social media users, many of whom expressed their outrage and disbelief. One user commented, "Okay, since conservatives are struggling to comprehend basic human empathy, imagine if the Biden administration put out an AI studio Ghibli edit of one of the Jan 6 people getting arrested." Another user criticized the White House for using the AI-generated image, stating, "'fent dealer' this 'fent dealer' that THE WHITE HOUSE IS TWEETING STUDIO GHIBLI AI PROPAGANDA FROM X. how is that not dystopian to ya'll." A third user lamented, "Empathy is dead to the right. We need to get ready."
The controversy surrounding the White House's post underscores the ongoing debates about immigration, drug trafficking, and the use of AI technology in political communication. As the situation continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that these issues present.
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