By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
The battle over gun control versus gun rights just entered the realm of surrealism as former CNN reporter Jim Acosta participated in a gun control campaign effort by interviewing the AI-generated avatar of slain Florida high school student Joaquin Oliver, according to Yahoo News.
Oliver was among the victims of the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
According to Outkick, Acosta quizzed the Oliver avatar about his “solution to gun violence.” Just like anyone speaking from beyond the grave, the avatar replied, “I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement. We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard. It’s about building a culture of kindness and understanding. What do you think of that?”
According to Yahoo, critics of the presentation think the fantasy interview was unsettling if not downright insane.
The interview is drawing plenty of criticism, Yahoo reported, with concerns about “consent, emotional impact, and the potential for misrepresenting the deceased.”
On “X,” the criticisms are aimed at Acosta. One person wrote, “Personally, I think that’s pretty sick. Jimbo isn’t playing with all his marbles.”
Another person wrote, “This is beyond sick. Interviewing a FAKE DEAD TEEN to push gun control propaganda. If I were the parents I would be devastated!!!!!!”
Apparently, the dead teen’s father, Manuel Oliver, “appeared alongside the digital recreation and defended its use as part of the family’s ongoing advocacy,” according to the Yahoo article. Since the Parkland attack, Oliver and other parents have become vocal gun control advocates.
But another person reacting on “X” was blunt: “I think this is morally evil. I wouldn’t and I don’t think anyone wants anyone else to put words in their mouth after death. There honestly should be a law against this to protect the memory of those who have died. This is evil, evil stuff.”
Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, called the AI interview “insane.” The consensus among critics is that this “interview” represents a new low in the gun prohibition movement.
