A prominent religious figure has become embroiled in a disturbing case of AI-generated misinformation.
According to Daily Mail, celebrity pastor T.D. Jakes, 67, has filed a legal motion in California requesting Google to reveal the identities of YouTube account holders who have been spreading AI-generated content falsely connecting him to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ongoing sex trafficking case.
The motion comes after YouTube channels began circulating doctored videos and images depicting Jakes in compromising situations, including fabricated sexual scenarios with male celebrities.
NBC's investigation revealed dozens of channels pushing these false narratives about Black celebrities, with some accounts operating from Pakistan, South Africa, the Philippines, and Kenya.
The legal filing indicates that Jakes' team has spent a year attempting to work with YouTube to address the issue. While the platform has removed some misleading content, many videos remain active and continue to generate millions of views.
The motion aims to enable Jakes' legal team to pursue defamation charges against the individuals responsible for creating and spreading the false content.
The fabricated content includes AI-generated images showing Jakes in prison jumpsuits and handcuffs, alongside claims that he was arrested and had stepped down from his position at The Potter's House megachurch. These videos have exploited Jakes' past association with Combs through his sermons on Revolt, a media company Combs founded in 2013 but has since sold his stake in.
During a recent sermon, Jakes addressed the situation directly. As he told his congregation: "All of you who expect me to address a lie, you can log off."
The false content emerged amid serious legal troubles for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who faces federal charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The 55-year-old rapper is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City awaiting trial.
Prosecutors allege that Combs organized what they termed "Freak Offs" - elaborate sexual performances that he allegedly directed and recorded. He has pleaded not guilty to charges claiming he coerced and abused women for years with the help of associates, using tactics including blackmail, violence, kidnapping, and physical assault.
The case has drawn significant attention as dozens of individuals, including minors, have filed civil lawsuits against Combs for various alleged offenses, all of which he denies.
Bishop T.D. Jakes continues to lead The Potter's House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, which boasts over 30,000 members and a weekly attendance of 17,000. As a respected televangelist, author, and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $20 million, Jakes seeks to protect his reputation from AI-generated defamation.
The outcome of his legal motion could set a precedent for how public figures combat AI-generated misinformation as he attempts to unmask those responsible for creating and spreading false content linking him to Combs' alleged crimes. Meanwhile, Combs faces serious federal charges that could result in significant prison time if convicted.
