An image that was likely created with artificial intelligence tools that purported to show a young survivor of Hurricane Helene. The image got millions of views online, even after its provenance was questioned.
After images of the devastation left by Hurricane Helene started to spread online, so too did an image of a crying child holding a puppy on a boat. Some of the posts on X (formerly Twitter) showing the image received millions of views.
It prompted emotional responses from many users – including many Republicans eager to criticize the Biden administration’s disaster response. But others quickly pointed out telltale signs that the