Fact Check: Did Abdul El-Sayed and Ms Rachel talk to kids about Israeli colonizers in a video?
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Amid the debate following the victory of Michigan Democratic Primary candidate Dr Abdul El-Sayed, a video is going viral on social media platforms claiming to show El-Sayed and YouTuber Ms Rachel talking to kids about Israeli colonizers. The video has sparked antisemitism allegations against the Democrat, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Ms Rachel and Abdul El-Sayed appeared in a video together
The viral video shows the duo with a map of Israel and Palestine in the background with ‘COLONIZER’ written on top of it.
Ms Rachel then begins saying, “A colonizer takes a home that isn't theirs. Can you say, colonizer?” In the next shot, children were shown repeating after her.
The next shot claims to show El-Sayed pointing at a child and calling him a ‘Zionist.’ The video then shows the duo explaining to the children about Palestinian resistance and ends with El-Sayed asking for votes.
The video has drawn hundreds of thousands of views as of this writing, garnering mostly criticism from online users, indicating that many believe the video to be authentic, given Ms Rachel’s stance against the conflict in Gaza.
Fact Check: The video is AI-generated
The video, however, is fake and has been generated using Artificial Intelligence. The 47-second clip features exaggerated expressions, songs, and clapping with children, which are some of the common traits of a clip made using AI.
Also, the clip was posted by an X account that describes itself in the bio as “Building the future of AI media. Mostly satire, always entertaining.”
Additionally, an analysis of the video using AI detection tools such as Hive Moderation revealed that the clip is 100% likely to be generated using AI. The post even has a label under it stating, ‘Made using AI.’
Ms Rachel donated $3,000 to Abdul El-Sayed
The video surfaced after Ms Rachel stirred a row after federal filings showed that she donated $3,000 to El-Sayed ahead of the primary, which was increasingly divided over Israel.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Samantha Cantrell slammed Ms Rachel for the donation, warning parents about both figures.
"Abdul El-Sayed and Ms. Rachel are the same, forcing their socialist, they/them, anti-America agenda on our children," Cantrell told The New York Post. "Parents should be worried when they head to the ballot box."
According to the outlet, Ms Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, was listed by the Federal Election Commission on July 19.
