A video seen on X shows James Gandolfini in his Tony Soprano character giving a PSA telling viewers to vote for Donald Trump in New Jersey.

Tony Soprano says go vote for Trump, or else! pic.twitter.com/QgPUUHcNyP

— Ramble_Rants (@ramble_rants) October 28, 2024

Verdict: False

This video uses AI to alter a previously aired commercial.

Fact Check:

‘The Sopranos’ was a television drama that aired from 1999-2007, and is widely considered to be one of the best TV shows of all time. The show starred James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, an Italian mafia boss with a complicated relationship between family and work.

A post being shared on X shows Gandolfini portraying the ‘Tony Soprano’ character, urging voters in New Jersey to get out and vote for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election. He is seen in various areas such as a restaurant and on a bridge, and is heard saying “Listen up, New Jersey. Election Day is next week, and I don’t gotta tell you what it means to this family.” He goes on to say, while men shovel dirt on screen, “But if you even think about not votin’? Fuggedaboutit.”

This video was made using AI, however. Check Your Fact ran the video through AI detection website TrueMedia which determined there is substantial evidence of manipulation.

TrueMedia/Screenshot

The video alters an actual advertisement featuring Gandolfini from 2013, made for Israeli-based television network Yes Oh.

The video is also clearly watermarked by it’s creator “Dilley Meme Team,” a satire group that refers to themselves as “Trump’s Online War Machine.” There is an ending graphic that states the creator, as well. While Trump himself has supposedly shared media created by Dilley Meme Team, there is no proof that the two are officially affiliated at all.

The official X account of HBO makes no reference to the manipulated video, and makes no endorsement of it at all. Gandolfini passed away in 2013, predating Donald Trump’s political career.