Alex Jones Spreads Fake Cocaine Photo of Pro-Ukraine Leaders on Train

On May 9, 2025, European leaders including France's President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled by train to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss the ongoing war against Russia. This diplomatic visit was captured in photos and video footage by reporters.

Shortly after, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones shared an image on social media falsely claiming it showed a bag of cocaine on the table in front of Macron, which he alleged the leaders were hiding. Jones also claimed that German Chancellor Merz was concealing a spoon, and insinuated illicit drug use linked to Zelensky.

However, high-resolution photos from Getty Images clearly show that the supposed cocaine was actually a simple tissue or napkin. The image Jones shared was digitally altered, likely using AI-based upscaling tools, which created an artificial shine and distorted the original object’s appearance.

The object Jones claimed was a spoon appeared to be a gold-colored clip or zip-tie used for organizing documents, not a utensil. Despite the clear evidence debunking the claims, Jones’s tweet amassed over 26 million views, fueling widespread misinformation.

The French president’s office issued an official denial, emphasizing that the white object was merely a tissue and condemning the disinformation as an attempt by France’s adversaries to undermine European unity. This incident exemplifies how simple images can be manipulated to spread false narratives.

Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), misinformation has surged, with figures like Alex Jones returning to the platform. Jones has a history of promoting pro-Putin conspiracy theories aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its allies.

This episode highlights the critical need for robust fact-checking and digital literacy to combat disinformation campaigns that threaten democratic discourse and international cooperation. It also underscores the role of technology in both enabling and countering misinformation.

The Broader Impact of Disinformation on Geopolitics

Disinformation campaigns like those spread by Alex Jones have real-world consequences. They erode public trust in political leaders and institutions, complicate diplomatic relations, and can influence public opinion on critical international issues such as the war in Ukraine.

By distorting simple facts and images, bad actors seek to sow division and confusion, often exploiting social media’s rapid information spread. This makes it imperative for governments, media organizations, and technology platforms to collaborate on effective countermeasures.

How Technology Can Help Combat Misinformation

Advanced AI-driven tools can analyze image authenticity, detect digital alterations, and flag misleading content before it spreads widely. Platforms can integrate crowdsourced fact-checking and real-time verification to reduce the impact of false narratives.

Educating users on media literacy and promoting transparency in information sources are equally important to empower individuals to critically assess what they see online.

The incident involving Alex Jones’s fake cocaine photo is a cautionary tale about the power of misinformation and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to uphold truth in the digital age.