NAIROBI, Kenya — A photo shared by Head of Presidential Special Projects Dennis Itumbi claiming to show world leaders at the 2026 G7 Summit has been flagged as misleading after fact-checkers identified multiple inconsistencies suggesting the image was manipulated.
Fact-checking organisation Piga Firimbi highlighted at least four verifiable red flags in the image, including the appearance of leaders who were no longer holding office and a duplicate appearance of the same world leader.
According to the fact-check, the most obvious anomaly was the presence of Ursula von der Leyen twice in different positions within the same image.
“A real photograph cannot depict the same person in two different positions simultaneously,” Piga Firimbi noted, saying the duplication was a strong indication that the image may have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence tools.
The organisation also pointed out that the image featured Justin Trudeau as Canada’s Prime Minister despite his resignation on March 14, 2025. He was succeeded by Mark Carney, who became Canada’s 24th Prime Minister and has represented the country at subsequent G7 meetings.
Another discrepancy involved Shigeru Ishiba, who appeared in the image despite having left office in October 2025. He was succeeded by Sanae Takaichi.
Piga Firimbi further identified the inclusion of Charles Michel, whose tenure ended on November 30, 2024. He was replaced by António Costa, who has represented the institution at international summits since taking office.
The fact-checkers noted that the most recent G7 Summit was held in Evian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, 2026. Leaders in attendance included US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ursula von der Leyen, and António Costa.
Based on the inconsistencies, Piga Firimbi concluded that the image was misleading and contained characteristics commonly associated with AI-generated or manipulated imagery.
The organisation warned that sharing unverified visuals, particularly from official government accounts or public officials, can contribute to the spread of misinformation and undermine public trust in digital information.
Instant Analysis
The controversy underscores the growing challenge governments and public institutions face in the age of artificial intelligence, where realistic but inaccurate images can spread rapidly online. The incident also highlights the increasing role of independent fact-checkers in verifying digital content and holding public figures accountable for information shared on official platforms.
