By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social promoting the “MedBed” conspiracy, which posits the existence of technology capable of curing diseases and reversing aging. The video, made to look like a Fox News segment, features the president announcing the launch of “MedBed hospitals.” The MedBed conspiracy, popular in far-right circles, claims the technology is being withheld from the public. A website selling “MedBed Cards” was found, promising benefits unrelated to the technology described in the video for $447.
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President Trump shares seemingly-AI video amplifying “medbed” conspiracy theory, and it’s honestly difficult to know where to even begin unpacking this. The core issue is that a former President, using his platform on Truth Social, shared a video that appears to be generated by artificial intelligence, and this video promotes the “medbed” conspiracy theory.
This “medbed” concept, for those unfamiliar, is rooted in pseudoscience and a whole lot of wishful thinking. Primarily championed within far-right and QAnon circles, the idea is that these aren’t just any beds, but incredibly advanced, secret technology, potentially even alien-derived, that can magically cure diseases, regenerate limbs, and reverse the aging process in a matter of minutes. It’s the stuff of science fiction, but for some, it’s a deeply held belief. The fact that this is being promoted is the key point of this.
The video in question, according to reports, mimics the format of a segment on Fox News, with a simulated Lara Trump delivering “breaking news.” The simulated president, via AI, supposedly announces a new “healthcare system” featuring “MedBed hospitals.” Within the narrative of the video, a limited number of “MedBed cards” are promised, with registration details to follow. However, reality quickly sets in when you discover that websites are already selling these cards.
The real sting is the cards themselves. For a price – around $447 – you can obtain a “MedBed card” that promises certain benefits, none of which actually relate to possessing or accessing a MedBed. The FAQ section of the website lists promises, including things like “Exclusive information about terahertz technology” and discounts on products. The cards are essentially useless, offering no access to any revolutionary medical treatments. The fact that this is a grift, and a pretty obvious one, makes it even more infuriating, but also very sad. It preys on people’s deepest hopes and fears.
The reaction to this has been swift, and rightly so. The “seemingly-AI” part of the initial reporting feels almost like a question mark. The technology is advanced, but it’s quite clear to me, based on the information available, that this is indeed AI-generated. The entire premise of this, the sharing of the video, the endorsement of the scam, and the subsequent promotion on his social media all raise serious questions. This is also a calculated move to capitalize on the vulnerable.
Let’s be clear about the implications: This isn’t just a harmless eccentricity. It’s a potential scam. People are already selling these cards, and there’s a real risk that the most fervent believers, those who are already clinging to the hope of a medical miracle, will be the ones who are most easily exploited. This goes far beyond promoting an unsubstantiated claim. It is exploiting the vulnerability of his supporters.
This whole episode seems to have several strategic angles to consider. Some believe it to be a means of deflecting attention from ongoing legal troubles or political controversies. Others argue that Trump is intentionally pandering to his most extreme supporters, and that could be by design. Ultimately, this is another way to stay in the news, control the narrative, and possibly enrich himself in the process.
The fact that Trump is choosing to use AI to peddle this conspiracy theory is, in itself, a statement. The AI is not the story, but is a powerful tool for spreading misinformation. The whole situation also brings up interesting questions about the role of media, especially journalism, in reporting on these types of events. A journalist’s job is to inform, and I suppose the use of “seemingly-AI” helps hedge their bets in an increasingly complicated world.
The real tragedy here is the potential for this to damage the trust in legitimate healthcare providers and scientific research. It also makes it harder to address real issues, to help people who are struggling. It’s a distraction, a manipulation, and a potential financial drain on those most vulnerable.
The implications of this go far beyond a simple endorsement of a fringe conspiracy theory. It highlights how easily misinformation can spread, how powerful the use of AI is, and how effectively it can be deployed by those with a large platform.