A new advertisement from Fannie Mae has caught public attention for what sounds like President Donald Trump personally narrating its message. However, a disclaimer in the video reveals that the voice is not a live recording. Instead, it is an AI-generated replica of Trump’s voice — used with official permission. The campaign highlights how artificial intelligence is increasingly intersecting with politics, messaging, and public policy, a moment summed up by the headline Trump’s Voice in a New Fannie Mae Advertisement Was AI-Generated With His Consent.
An AI Voice With a Political Message
The digitally recreated voice introduces viewers to what it calls an “all-new Fannie Mae,” positioning the institution as a “protector of the American Dream.” According to the ad, the goal is to reassure Americans that the administration is taking affordability seriously, particularly as housing costs remain a major concern for voters.
The timing is deliberate. The Trump administration has been emphasizing economic relief and housing reform, and the ad fits squarely into that narrative. Trump is also expected to address housing issues during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where global leaders and corporate executives are meeting this week.
Not the First Use of AI in the Trump Family
This is not the first instance of AI being used to replicate a Trump family member’s voice. Recently, First Lady Melania Trump used AI technology from ElevenLabs to narrate the audiobook version of her memoir. However, it remains unclear which company was responsible for cloning President Trump’s voice in the Fannie Mae advertisement.
ElevenLabs confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that it did not generate the audio used in the ad. Meanwhile, the White House declined to comment on the matter.
Housing Reform Takes Center Stage
In a prime-time address last month, Trump pledged to introduce what he described as “some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history.” The ad reinforces that promise, with the AI-generated voice reflecting on how homeownership once symbolized stability and independence, but now feels unattainable for many Americans.
“For generations, home ownership meant security, independence, and stability,” the voice says in the one-minute spot. “But today, that dream feels out of reach for too many Americans — not because they stopped working hard, but because the system stopped working for them.”
The Role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have played a central role in the U.S. housing market since the Great Recession, remaining under government control while providing liquidity to banks by purchasing qualifying mortgages. Together, they guarantee roughly half of the $13 trillion U.S. home loan market, making them foundational to the broader economy.
The advertisement suggests that Fannie Mae will collaborate more closely with banks to approve additional borrowers for mortgages, potentially expanding access to homeownership.
Policy Ideas and Ongoing Debate
Trump, along with Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, has floated the idea of taking Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public by selling shares on a major stock exchange, though no detailed plan has been announced. Another proposal — extending the traditional 30-year mortgage to a 50-year term — was discussed as a way to reduce monthly payments. Trump later appeared to soften his stance after critics warned that longer loans could weaken long-term wealth building.
Earlier this month, Trump also said he was directing the federal government to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed bonds, arguing that the move would help lower mortgage rates. He claimed that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have sufficient cash reserves to fund the purchase.
Additionally, Trump has proposed blocking large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, saying such a ban could make it easier for younger families to purchase their first properties.
AI, Autopens, and Political Irony
Trump’s approval of AI-generated audio has sparked some irony, given his past criticism of the Biden administration over the use of autopen devices to apply presidential signatures. An autopen is a mechanical tool designed to replicate a person’s signature, often used for efficiency.
While Trump has raised concerns about such practices, a House Republican report has not presented concrete evidence that autopen signatures were used without President Biden’s knowledge.
A Sign of What’s Ahead
The Fannie Mae advertisement signals more than just a housing policy push. It reflects a growing comfort with AI-driven communication at the highest levels of government. As technology continues to reshape political messaging, the use of an AI-generated presidential voice — especially with consent — may mark the beginning of a new era in how leaders speak to the public.
