By In a stunt that has ignited a firestorm of ethical criticism, former CNN anchor Jim Acosta released an interview on his Substack featuring an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 victims of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The avatar, a digital recreation developed by Oliver’s parents as part of their gun control advocacy, was animated to respond to Acosta’s questions about policy, memory, and personal interests. The interview, published on what would have been Joaquin’s 25th birthday, was intended as a call to action—but has instead provoked outrage over what many see as a grotesque crossing of moral boundaries.
This is one of the most unhinged and grotesque things I’ve ever seen. It’s also completely in keeping with who Acosta is. https://t.co/VwcfOTPgim
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) August 4, 2025
Acosta, treating the avatar as a legitimate interview subject, asked, “I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.” The AI responded with a polished, policy-forward message: “Great question. 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?” To which Acosta replied, “I think that’s a great idea, Joaquin.”
The avatar delivered more direct lines later in the interview, voicing what was framed as a posthumous rebuke to policymakers: “It’s been six years, and you’ve done nothing, not a thing to stop all the shootings that have continued to happen since. I died that day in Parkland, my body was destroyed by a weapon of war.” The segment interspersed these solemn appeals with lighter moments, such as the AI noting, “Star Wars is such an epic saga. The adventures, the characters and that iconic music are unforgettable.”
Reaction was swift and polarizing. Fox News Digital reported that Acosta’s live chat was flooded with condemnation, with viewers branding the project “creepy,” “weird,” and “unsettling.” Critics accused the former CNN anchor of turning grief into performance art, leveraging tragedy for clicks and political capital under the guise of advocacy.
Acosta defended the project as a form of symbolic protest. “Joaquin is a symbol of something that is deeply, deeply wrong with this country,” he said, adding, “Something like this is maybe going to give some people some hope.”
Joaquin’s father, Manuel Oliver, acknowledged the artificiality of the recreation: “I understand that this is AI. Sadly, I can’t [bring my son back]. However, the technology is out there. I can hear his voice again.” His remarks conveyed both resignation and a sense of purpose—but did little to quell the broader unease.
To supporters, the interview was an innovative act of remembrance and activism. To critics, it was a descent into sickening digital necromancy that takes advantage of those impacted by a terrible tragedy commodified and a complete degradation of journalism.
Jim Acosta who took great offense to being labeled fake news is now conducting fake interviews with dead people for content and clicks. https://t.co/6gO7QBEWFV
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) August 4, 2025
Whatever Acosta’s intentions, the project has exposed a troubling frontier: the use of artificial intelligence to simulate the dead for political messaging. In the end, the question may not be what the avatar said, but how far deranged members of the liberal media will go to push their message.
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