Internet once again fooled by AI-generated images of satanic Target merch | Fact check

Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY
·3 min read
22

The claim: Video shows satanic merchandise at Target

A July 11 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows a man speaking in front of a picture of a Target.

"So it looks like Target is at it again," the man says. "More of their evil agenda trying to be pushed on our little kids. ... Check out these pictures that I'm about to show you of what Target has in store for our little children and every one of you."

The video then shows images of satanic-themed decorations and clothing.

The video garnered more than 4,000 shares in 10 days, while the original TikTok garnered more than 70,000 likes in less than six weeks.

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Our rating: Altered

The images were created using AI. Target doesn't sell any such merchandise.

Satanic images are AI-generated

The set of images was originally shared on Facebook by a user named Pumpkin Empress on May 27.

"2023 Spring Target New Store line," reads the post's caption. "Ai pics : by yours truly, feel free to fall for it."

The user confirmed the images weren't real in the comments, adding that they were created to poke fun at those who previously accused Target of selling satanic merchandise.

"It’s a mockery of the people who 'heard' target had a satanist designing stuff for them and flipped out and boycotted the store," reads one of the user's comments beneath the post.

As is typically the case with AI-generated images, all the signs feature illegible symbols instead of English. Hive Moderation, an AI-detection tool, found the images were 99.7% likely to be AI-generated.

The user describes themselves as a digital creator on their Facebook page as well.

Fact check: Images of satanic statues at Hobby Lobby are digitally created

The New York Times mentioned the creator, Holly Alverez, in a June 28 article about AI-detection tools. The article features an image created by Alverez as part of an AI-generated set showing a satanic library club for children.

In a similar series of events, the set of images was shared online by conservative social media users who believed it was real.

In a May 8 Facebook post, Alvarez explained that the series of images were created using Midjourney, an AI-generating tool.

No such satanic-themed merchandise could be found on Target's website.

USA TODAY has previously debunked claims that AI-generated images show satanic-themed merchandise being sold at Target and Hobby Lobby.

USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The TikTok user couldn't be contacted.

The claim has also been debunked by PolitiFact.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Target isn't selling satanic merchandise for kids | Fact check