A celebrity pastor has asked a court to intervene after AI generated misinformation was shared on YouTube linking him with the alleged crimes of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Lawyers representing T.D. Jakes, 67, filed a motion in California to subpoena Google to share the identities of account holders who have been sharing the content.
A report by NBC described the videos as pushing fake narratives linking Jakes with the rapper and his ongoing sex trafficking case.
Videos seen by the outlet have apparently implicated Jakes in these allegations without any evidence and used AI images to depict him and others in lewd acts.
The outlet reviewed a dozen YouTube channels that had been posting the AI generated content which centers around Black celebrities including the pastor.
The filing says the accounts are making false claims against Jakes and are using AI to create images, thumbnails and voice-overs for the videos.
According to the motion, fake images have been created showing Jakes in a prison jumpsuit, in handcuffs and in sexual scenarios with male celebrities.
Video titles also claim that Jakes was arrested, had come out as being gay and stepped down as the senior pastor at The Potter’s House, a megachurch.
Lawyers representing T.D. Jakes, seen here, filed a motion in California to subpoena Google to share the identities of the account holders who have been sharing the content
A report about the content by NBC described the videos as pushing fake narratives linking Jakes with the rapper, seen here, and his ongoing sex trafficking case
The motion said his legal action came after a yearlong attempt to engage with YouTube on the issue.
It said that the platform had managed to remove some of the misleading videos but a majority remained.
Should the motion and subpoenas be a success, his legal team could pursue defamation against the people behind the channels.
Hundreds of videos have been shared about the pastor that have received millions of views relating to his past association with Combs.
Since 2021 he has hosted sermons on Revolt, a media company that Combs started in 2013 before he stepped down last year and sold his stake.
NBC report that some of the accounts that are pushing these videos are being ran out of Pakistan, South Africa, the Philippines and Kenya.
Jakes acknowledged the fake content in a sermon last month, telling his audience: ‘All of you who expect me to address a lie, you can log off.’
Combs, 55, is currently behind bars at the notoriously tough Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City as he awaits trial.
Video titles also claim that Jakes was arrested, had come out as being gay and stepped down as the senior pastor at The Potter’s House, a megachurch
Jakes is seen here preaching inside a filled Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas on May 14, 2006
He was federally charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution on September 17.
The rapper has been accused of arranging ‘Freak Offs,’ described as ‘elaborate and produced sex performances’ arranged and directed by Combs while he masturbated and often recorded them.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
Dozens of people, some of whom were minors at the time, have sued Diddy in civil courts for a string of offenses, which he also denies.
Jakes congregation meanwhile was left wracked with worry after he was seen involuntarily shaking while delivering a sermon last month.
Those inside The Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, were seen reacting in real-time as he suffered a medical emergency.
A livestream clip captured him saying, ‘Oh lord, my strength, my redeemer, let them go in peace,’ moments before his voice faltered.
Staff quickly surrounded him, urging the congregation to ‘give him space’ as the livestream ended abruptly.
His daughter, Sarah jakes Roberts, later posted an updated saying that he was recovering well and under medical care.
The a highly influential figure televangelist has built The Potter’s House into a thriving megachurch with over 30,000 members. His institution boasts a weekly attendance of 17,000.
Known for his motivational messages, Jakes is also a prolific author and entrepreneur, with a reported net worth of $20 million.
DailyMail.com has approached Google for comment.
