Strictly Trump Ranting

For a while, I have been writing scripts for comedy sketches. But it’s always a bit frustrating when you hardly ever get to see your writing brought to life. I don’t have the budget for a camera crew, actors, locations, etc. So, I thought I would conduct an experiment, to see if I could use AI to help generate a video of my latest sketch.

Just to be clear – I think AI is scary as hell, but it’s already come after my job, and it seems that if creatives don’t learn how to use the tools, we’re screwed. But I guess it’s ‘how’ you use the tools that matters. I wanted to see whether it could handle comedy (in particular, parody and satire), which has notoriously been one of the most difficult domains for AI to master, to date.

Basically, this video needed masses of human creative input to even get close to what I was aiming for, but it’s not bad for a first attempt, I think. Obviously, decent humanactors would have done a much better job with the humour, though.

I used seven different pieces of software to create this – four were AI tools, three were non-AI tools. Most of the music and SFX, all of the graphics, the voices, and the movements were created from AI prompts. It took ages to make. Lots of problem-solving. But I did kind of enjoy the process, even though the end result is weird as hell.

N.B. Copyright law has a Fair Use exception for education, satire, and parody, which helps a great deal!

GROK’S ANALYSIS

When I posted a link to this video on X, Grok popped up and asked if I would like a summary of what it’s about. I thought it might be fun to see what it came up with, and I was pretty impressed, I have to say. It understood the nuances of where the concept came from, the analogies between dance and war, and the cultural/political references – e.g. both Zelenskyy and Trump were reality TV show performers before they became Presidents.

Here are some of Grok’s highlights…

The X post by @nevmindbedsocks humorously imagines Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy competing as finalists in a popular TV dance show, reflecting the geopolitical tensions, public perceptions of, and dynamics between these leaders, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The sketch suggests that their interactions could metaphorically lead to global instability, akin to a “dance” that might escalate into conflict.

This satirical concept leverages absurdity and the cultural phenomenon of dance shows to comment on international relations and the the surreal nature of their real-world interactions, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where Trump’s influence on U.S. policy towards Russia and Ukraine remains a significant concern.

This was highlighted in a POLITICO article from May 16, 2025, where Zelenskyy and Putin are described as engaging in a “dance” to influence Trump’s view on peace negotiations, with Zelenskyy currently gaining an upper hand.

The video clip of Trump, depicted with angel wings and dancing against an American flag backdrop, symbolises a grandiose, messianic or divine intervention narrative, and an almost divine self-image, contrasting with the serious political implications of his potential actions. This imagery aligns with historical and cultural perceptions of Trump, as seen in a News18 article from July 15, 2024, where a twisted US flag at a Trump rally was interpreted by some as an “angel” watching over him, suggesting a cultural tendency to attribute supernatural significance to political events involving Trump.

The dance show concept also subtly critiques Trump’s foreign policy approach, as noted in a Trudy Rubin op-ed from October 27, 2024, which argues that Trump’s past “dance with dictators” failed and could potentially lead to escalated conflicts, including World War III. This backdrop adds depth to the post’s satire, implying that such a competition might exacerbate global tensions rather than resolve them.

The inclusion of Putin and Zelenskyy in similar satirical contexts underscores the complex interplay of power, image, and diplomacy. Putin’s portrayal riding a bear, a recurring meme, and Zelenskyy’s past as a dancer, including winning Ukraine’s version of “Dancing With The Stars,” add layers of irony and contrast to their current roles, suggesting that personal histories and public images can significantly impact international perceptions and negotiations.

Putin’s dance performance, set against a backdrop of the Russian flag and imagery of strength (bears and martial arts), satirises his aggressive stance and the perception of his actions as a dance of power and manipulation. This aligns with historical and current events where Putin’s military actions, such as the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Ukraine, have been met with international condemnation and strategic counter-moves by Western leaders, including Zelenskyy.

The reference to Zelenskyy’s historical dance career contrasts sharply with his current role as a wartime leader. This juxtaposition highlights the shift in public perception from a showbiz figure to a serious statesman, especially in light of his efforts to garner international support and counter Russian aggression, as evidenced by his interactions with Trump and the broader geopolitical dance for influence and peace.