WASHINGTON D.C. January 13, 2026.- The White House issued an official tribute on Tuesday to Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the iconic comic strip Dilbert, following the announcement of his death. However, the memorial post quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons after it featured an apparently AI-generated image depicting President Donald J. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and the cartoon character Dilbert himself standing side-by-side.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the official @WhiteHouse account, a statement attributed to President Trump read: “Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away… He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott!” 🇺🇸
A follow-up post added: “Rest in peace, Scott Adams. 💙🇺🇸,” accompanied by the controversial image showing the three figures in formal suits with red ties, smiling against a White House backdrop.
The image immediately drew attention for its cartoonish style, with the third figure unmistakably resembling Dilbert — the bespectacled, tie-curled engineer from Adams’ famous strip — rather than Adams himself. Many users quickly labeled it “AI slop,” suggesting it was a poorly generated artificial intelligence creation that confused the cartoon character with its real-life creator.
Reactions on X poured in, mixing condolences with humor and criticism:
– One prominent reply stated: “Nothing like honoring an artist with some AI slop.”
– Another user shared a “fixed” version of the image, presumably featuring a more accurate depiction.
– Supporters posted tributes, with comments like “RIP to a good man! God bless his soul” and calls to read Adams’ books.
As of Wednesday morning, the tribute posts had garnered tens of thousands of likes, reposts, and views, amplifying the online discussion.
Scott Adams, who rose to fame with Dilbert — a satirical take on corporate office life that ran in newspapers worldwide — was a vocal Trump supporter. He gained additional notoriety for his writings on persuasion, politics, and current events. Details about the cause or circumstances of his death have not yet been released by the White House or Adams’ family.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the use of AI-generated content in official communications, especially in sensitive contexts like memorials. While the White House has embraced bold and unconventional social media strategies under the current administration, this apparent gaffe has provided fodder for both supporters and critics alike.
The story continues to develop as more reactions emerge online.
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