AI-generated von der Leyen-Epstein images debunked; disinformation campaign flagged

Viral images purporting to show Ursula von der Leyen with Jeffrey Epstein have been debunked as AI-generated, with the fake photo viewed hundreds of thousands of times. The incident highlights an active disinformation operation targeting a senior EU official, though the origin and intent remain unclear. It matters as a marker of AI-enabled influence operations ahead of sensitive political cycles.