Trump can’t scan tourists’ social media without AI, says 'The View' co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The hosts of 'The View' discussed the Trump administration’s newly proposed requirement for tourists from 42 countries to submit five years of social media history for vetting before entering the United States. Concerns were raised that AI would likely be the only feasible way to conduct such large-scale screening.

Alyssa Farah Griffin questions feasibility of social media vetting plan

The hosts examined the potential impact the move could have on the tourism sector. Joy Behar asked who, or which department, would be responsible for reviewing these social media accounts.

Alyssa Farah Griffin responded, “I would think it has to be AI,” with Sara Haines agreeing. “There’s no way. The manpower — five years of my social media, you wouldn’t see that person for weeks on end. It makes no sense.”

The co-hosts questioned whether the president's plan to require tourists to submit five years of social media history would deter travelers from visiting the United States.

Alyssa Farah Griffin warns of economic fallout for US tourism 

“Five seconds of my social media, and I’d be banned from entering this country for life,” joked Ana Navarro. 

Griffin, however, issued a serious warning, saying that such vetting would deal a “devastation” to the US economy. She added that Trump, as a hotelier, should understand the potential fallout.

“I cannot express enough how big of an economic devastation this will be to the U.S. tourism industry,” Griffin said. “You’re talking about the UK, some of our closest allies in the US visa waiver program, who visit multiple times a year. They’re already seeing backlogs at some embassies. They’re saying, ‘Your appointment to get a visa is going to be delayed weeks and weeks.’ People are going to cancel trips. They’re not going to come.”

US considers expanding ESTA social media requirements

The United States is considering a new requirement that would compel foreign tourists from visa-waiver countries to submit a five-year history of social media activity before entering the country.

The newly filed proposal states, "the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last 5 years," though it does not specify which platforms or types of posts would be reviewed.

Currently, ESTA requires limited background information and a $40 fee, allowing citizens of roughly 40 countries, including the UK, France, Australia, Ireland, and Japan, to visit the US multiple times within two years.

In addition to social media history, the proposal calls for collecting applicants’ phone numbers used over the past decade and expanded information about family members.