By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Screenshots circulating on social media, purportedly showing Eric Trump messaging former UFC star Daniel Cormier to inquire about rigged fights at a White House event, have been strongly denied by Trump, who claims they are AI-generated fabrications. Cormier has also disavowed the messages, suggesting his account may have been hacked. The Trump Organization further refuted the screenshots, highlighting the dangers of AI-generated misinformation. Meanwhile, President Trump lauded the UFC event on the South Lawn as “incredible,” praising the fighters and the historic setting.
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Eric Trump has recently found himself at the center of a developing story, denying any involvement in asking UFC star Daniel Cormier about the possibility of rigged fights. The denial comes as purported text messages, which allegedly show such an inquiry, have surfaced online. Trump’s defense hinges on the assertion that these messages are not authentic but rather the product of artificial intelligence, a claim that has sparked significant skepticism and debate.
The narrative presented is that Eric Trump denies ever reaching out to Daniel Cormier, emphasizing the fabricated nature of the circulated screenshots. He has publicly stated that the messages are “completely fake” and expressed concern, calling the situation “scary.” This defense strategy, leaning on the capabilities of AI to generate deceptive content, is being met with considerable doubt, with many finding the alternative—that the messages are genuine and Trump is attempting to deflect—far more plausible.
The argument that the messages are AI-generated is contrasted with the idea that the situation is simply too perfect to be a fabrication, suggesting that the very implausibility of such shadiness points to its truth. This sentiment is amplified by the family’s past controversies, leading to a widespread perception that this type of behavior is, unfortunately, in character for the Trumps, rather than a manufactured scenario.
Furthermore, Trump’s explanation that Cormier deleting his post confirms fabrication is being scrutinized. Critics argue that deleting a post is hardly conclusive proof of it being fake. It could have been removed for a multitude of reasons unrelated to authenticity, such as pressure from the platform, a personal decision by Cormier to avoid complications, or even due to threats, rather than being a tacit admission of falsity.
The “it was AI” defense is being likened to previous excuses like “my account was hacked,” suggesting it’s becoming a convenient, go-to rebuttal for any incriminating evidence. This pattern, observers note, suggests a systemic attempt to disavow or deny unfavorable information, making the AI claim particularly suspect in the eyes of many.
Many find it difficult to accept the AI explanation, given the alleged nature of the content and the individuals involved. The idea that someone would attempt to gain insider information on a UFC event they are connected to, and then attempt to mask it with a fabricated AI message, strikes some as a darkly plausible scenario for the family. The suggestion of stock market manipulation and insider trading related to a UFC event hosted by the family only adds to this perception of deep-seated impropriety.
The core of the skepticism lies in the perceived lack of credibility attached to the Trump family, particularly Eric, due to their history. This historical context leads many to believe that the AI defense is a smokescreen for actual wrongdoing. The claim that Eric Trump, known for past actions such as allegations involving a children’s cancer foundation, would engage in shady betting practices and then attribute a fake message to AI is seen as entirely believable, if unfortunate.
The situation is being viewed by some as a distraction, with the timing of these accusations potentially diverting attention from other sensitive matters, such as the decision to host fights at the White House or ongoing discussions surrounding the Epstein files. This interpretation suggests a calculated move to shift public focus away from potentially more damaging narratives.
Adding another layer to the controversy, some commenters point out that even if the messages were entirely fabricated without the use of AI, both Photoshop and developer tools have long been capable of creating convincing fake images and texts. The fact that the defense immediately jumps to AI, when other long-standing methods of digital manipulation exist, is seen as telling.
The authenticity of Cormier’s original posts and screenshots is a key point of contention. There are claims that Cormier shared the DMs directly, indicating they were his own screenshots and not generated by AI or Photoshop. The subsequent deletion of these posts, according to this perspective, doesn’t validate the AI claim but rather suggests a successful attempt to suppress the information.
The notion that “it’s AI” is becoming a predictable fallback for the Trump circle when faced with evidence of wrongdoing. This pattern, it is argued, is a clear indicator of an attempt to cover up genuine scandals that align with the family’s alleged modus operandi. The belief is that rather than dealing with the consequences of their actions, they resort to discrediting the evidence through manufactured excuses.
Ultimately, the prevailing sentiment across much of the commentary suggests a deep-seated distrust in Eric Trump’s denial. When presented with two seemingly disparate possibilities—either a corrupt individual engaging in illicit activities or an entirely fabricated story involving AI—many find the former to be the far more logical and believable explanation, especially given the history and context surrounding the individuals involved. The accusation, therefore, is not seen as an anomaly but rather as consistent with a pattern of behavior.