Fact Check: Did Trump sign an executive order asking Rockstar Games to release 'GTA VI' in 2025?

WASHINGTON, DC: An X (formerly Twitter) user by the name of @Dirty_Worka claimed that President Donald Trump had signed an executive order demanding Rockstar Games release 'Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI)' in 2025.

Along with the tweet, the user shared a 32-second video, which showed a White House employee handing Trump a document to sign off on, purportedly an executive order related to the release of the much-anticipated video game.

The video quickly gained traction, attracting millions of views. In it, the White House employee is heard saying, “And lastly sir, we have an executive order requiring Rockstar Games to release 'GTA 6' in 2025 and drop a second trailer next week.”

Trump, according to the video, responds with, “That’s a big one huh? A lot of people are waiting for this roll out for years, for decades, when everything will be revealed.”

However, despite the video’s widespread attention, it is clear that this claim is false.

AI-generated video manipulates real footage to spread false claim

While the video appears to show a White House interaction, the clip itself is fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI). The footage is actually derived from an authentic video released by ABC News, which documented President Donald Trump signing off on a series of real executive orders.

In the original footage, a White House employee can be heard presenting Trump with an executive order concerning the declassification of documents related to the assassinations of President John F Kennedy, Senator Robert F Kennedy, and Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Trump's reactions in both the original and fake videos are identical, but the context is entirely different.

The audio and visual elements regarding 'GTA VI' were likely added using AI technology to make the situation seem genuine. No such executive order related to Rockstar Games or the release of 'GTA VI' was ever signed by President Trump.

No evidence of Donald Trump signing an executive order on 'GTA VI'

There is no record or evidence that Donald Trump ever signed an executive order related to the popular video game series. The fabricated video is simply a viral hoax, designed to mislead viewers and generate attention.

In contrast, Trump’s real executive orders have included a wide range of political, economic, and national security measures, none of which have included anything related to gaming companies or the release of entertainment media like 'GTA VI'.

The timing of the viral video coincides with increasing speculation surrounding the release of 'GTA VI', which Rockstar Games confirmed in December 2023 with the release of the first official trailer.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates about the game’s release date, and speculation suggests that a second trailer might drop soon. Some fans are even predicting that a new trailer could be revealed on January 30, ahead of game publisher Take-Two Interactive’s next earnings call on February 6.

However, this is merely speculation, as neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive have officially confirmed a trailer release.