In Brief: A 17-year-old from Burkina Faso used AI to fabricate a video claiming a coup in France. The clip, posted Dec. 9 on TikTok and Facebook, drew over 12 million views and prompted comment from President Emmanuel Macron before the creator deleted it. The teen says his motive was financial — the stunt earned roughly seven euros — and he now offers paid AI-coaching. The episode underscores growing disinformation risks powered by accessible AI tools and complex moderation challenges.
Burkinabe Teen's AI-Generated 'French Coup' Video Goes Viral — He Says He Has No Regrets
The fake 'coup' generated on line did not amuse French President Emmanuel Macron (JOHN THYS)(JOHN THYS/AFP/AFP)
A 17-year-old from Burkina Faso used artificial intelligence tools to create and share a fabricated video claiming there had been a coup in France. Posted on TikTok on December 9 and shortly afterwards on Facebook, the clip drew more than 12 million views and tens of thousands of likes — and even prompted comment from French President Emmanuel Macron.
How the Clip Spread
The short video presented what looked like live reporters describing a takeover led by an unnamed colonel, with quick shots of the Eiffel Tower and flashing blue police lights. "Coup d'etat in France," the clip declared, as on-screen reporters described demonstrators rallying behind the alleged colonel.
It was entirely fabricated. The teenager told AFP he learned to make AI-generated videos from online tutorials and began producing content in earnest in October 2025. He posted the clip first on TikTok, then on Facebook, where it went viral.
Official Reaction and Deletion
When asked about the footage during a visit to Marseille, President Macron said he had been unable to get Facebook to remove the video because the platform told him it did not violate its rules. The creator ultimately deleted the post after French news outlets started contacting him.
"I eat, I can get to school, my parents take good care of me, thank God," he told AFP, stressing he was not destitute but wanted financial independence.
Motives, Money and Follow-Up
The teenager said his main goal was financial: he hoped to earn advertising revenue from viral posts. Despite the views, he said the stunt brought in only about seven euros. His Facebook page was not monetised, though he said he had earned a small amount from TikTok using a workaround for creators in Africa.
He has since used the notoriety to advertise paid online coaching in AI-generated content on Facebook, charging 7,000 CFA francs (about 10 euros) for a one-hour session. He said at least five people contacted him following the viral clip.
Context: Disinformation in the Sahel
The episode comes amid wider disinformation trends in the Sahel. The so-called Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — has moved away from France and closer to Russia following a string of coups. Burkina Faso's junta and allied cyber networks have produced AI-manipulated videos before, including false clips purporting to show celebrities or religious figures praising military leaders.
The teenager denied belonging to any pro-government cyber group known locally as the "Rapid-Intervention Communication Battalion," and said his motivation was not primarily political — though he admitted he wanted to "scare people" and take a swipe at France. He criticised what he described as biased French media coverage of Sahel events and defended his action as a response.
Why It Matters
This case highlights multiple issues: how easily AI tools can generate convincing fake video, the difficulty platforms face in applying moderation rules across jurisdictions, and the economic incentives that push some creators toward sensational disinformation. It also underlines the broader geopolitical and information-security challenges in the Sahel region.
Implications: Platforms must refine detection and enforcement for AI-manipulated content; journalists and the public need better verification practices; and policymakers should consider how moderation policies interact with geopolitical tensions.
