Trump shared AI-manipulated images of Iranian women he claimed faced execution, though experts and Iranian authorities say most were released and none face death sentences. The six verified women participated in January protests, and Iran’s state media mocked the claim with a similar collage. Trump’s post on Truth Social used altered photos that experts immediately questioned as AI-generated, despite the women being real individuals. Iranian state-affiliated news agency Mizan refuted the execution claims, confirming several had been released and none received final death sentences. The incident highlights disinformation risks involving AI-altered imagery in political appeals.

The Iranian women cited by Donald Trump in his appeal to halt executions are real individuals, but the images he shared were AI-manipulated.

Trump shared altered photos of detained protesters

Trump posted on Truth Social a collage of eight backlit, soft-focus portraits, claiming the women faced imminent execution in Iran. The Verge reported that experts immediately questioned the authenticity of the images, noting they appeared AI-generated.

Some women were already released, none face execution

Iran’s state-affiliated news agency Mizan refuted Trump’s claim, stating that several of the women had been released months earlier and none had received final death sentences. Mizan added that others face possible prison terms but not execution.

Six identities verified by technology analyst

Mahsa Alimardani of WITNESS confirmed the identities of six women in the collage: Bita Hemmati, Mahboubeh Shabani, Venus Hossein-Nejad, Golnaz Naraghi, Diana Taherabadi, and Ghazal Ghalandri. Hemmati’s photo had appeared in right-leaning outlets after she received a death sentence for alleged actions against U.S. Interests.

Two identities remain unverified

Alimardani said the remaining two women in the collage, identified as Panah Movahedi and Ensieh Nejati, could not be verified. The six confirmed individuals had participated in January protests against the Iranian government.

Iranian state account mocked the claim with similar imagery

The Iranian embassy’s X account in South Africa responded by posting its own collage of eight women, mocking Trump’s appeal. The same account had previously shared misleading content that contributed to controversy involving South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and was accused by Israeli officials of spreading disinformation.

Were the women in Trump’s post actually facing execution?

No. According to Mizan, none of the women had final death sentences; some had been released and others faced possible prison terms.

Are the images Trump shared authentic?

No. Experts told The Verge the collage was at least AI-modified, though the individuals depicted are real people who participated in protests.