This Is Probably Not the AI-Generated Version of "The…
An AI-generated parody video depicting JD Vance as a cyclops in a retelling of The Odyssey has gained significant traction on social media platforms
- Incident date
- Aug 2026
- Target
- JD Vance
On August 22, 2026, a viral AI-generated parody titled The Odyssey began circulating online, featuring deepfake depictions of high-profile political figures. The video, created by an entity known as NostromoCore, depicts Vice President JD Vance as a cyclops character trapped in a cave with Odysseus and his men, engaging in absurd activities such as stuffing men into a couch and drinking hot dog water.
What happened
The video utilizes AI synthesis to manipulate the likeness of JD Vance, presenting him with a single large eyeball and distorted facial features. The narrative includes appearances from other AI-generated figures, including Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel as fellow cyclopes, and Peter Thiel depicted as an evil mage casting lightning bolts. The content serves as a satirical mockery, contrasting with the political discourse surrounding AI propaganda. NostromoCore, the creator behind the video, has produced hundreds of similar clips targeting Vance, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This incident highlights the growing trend of utilizing generative AI tools to create juvenile, highly stylized parodies for social media audiences, illustrating how the same technology used for political messaging can be repurposed to viciously mock the figures behind those messages.