Former CNN journalist “interviews” AI avatar of teen killed in school shooting
One journalist is facing backlash following his “interview” with the artificial intelligence avatar of a teenager killed in the Parkland high school shooting of 2018.
Jim Acosta by Getty/John Nacion
One journalist is facing backlash following his “interview” with the artificial intelligence avatar of a teenager killed in the Parkland high school shooting of 2018.
Former CNN journalist Jim Acosta conducted an “interview” via ‘The Jim Acosta Show,” according to The Washington Post, which internet users and social media users have described as “ghoulish” and “disturbing.”
The interview takes place on the journalist’s Substack and shows him talking to late teen Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the 2018 Parkland high school shooting.
Oliver's parents reanimated the teen using artificial intelligence (AI) to discuss gun reform and gun-related violence in the United States.
While the AI avatar was created in good faith using the materials available at the time, it feels awkward and stocky.
“Oliver,” responds in a way typical of an AI model, clinical and sterile. Media outlets have even compared the avatar’s responses to Yoda, as the model provides pearls of wisdom and asks Acosta questions that feel unnatural.
While Oliver’s grieving parents may have created the AI avatar for good, many social media users have criticized Acosta’s “interview” with the late teen.
Nicholas Fondacaro, the associate editor of NewsBusters, a blog that attempts to expose and combat “liberal media bias 24/7,” spoke out against Acosta, dubbing the interview “very disturbing.”
In the clip shared by Fondcaro, Oliver’s father tells Acosta that the teen’s mother spends hours asking the AI questions and loves hearing the avatar say, “I love you, mommy.”
This is very disturbing.
undefined Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 5, 2025
Manuel Oliver, the creator of the Joaquin Oliver A.I., claims to Jim Acosta that he understands undefinedthis is A.I.undefined and that he's not trying to undefinedbring my son back.undefined But admits his wife undefinedwill spend hours asking questions. She, like any other mothers, she loves… pic.twitter.com/z4if9q3XaI
Acosta’s interview with Oliver caught the attention of many, including Billy Markus, the creator of Dogecoin, who simply said, “I hate this.”
former CNN chief White House correspondent, jim acosta, gives an interview with an AI version of a deceased victim of the parkland school shooting in 2018
undefined Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) August 5, 2025
i hate this.pic.twitter.com/eb6u4pGiCq
The former chief White House correspondent posted to X on August 4th, 2025, telling his followers that his latest Substack show is one “you don’t want to miss” as he’ll be “having a one of a kind interview” with the late teen.
A show you don’t want to miss at 4p ET / 1p PT. I’ll be having a one of a kind interview with Joaquin Oliver. He died in the Parkland school shooting in 2018. But his parents have created an AI version of their son to deliver a powerful message on gun violence. Plus Texas State… pic.twitter.com/mbdM2WxwUR
undefined Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 4, 2025
In typical sardonic fashion, X users added context via community notes condemning the “interview,” saying that by definition, interviews are “conducted between people.”
Therefore, “a person writing to an AI masquerading as a dead school kid is not…an interview.”
Acosta reportedly turned off replies under his X post promoting the show, according to media pundit and “libertarian-leaning conservative,” Stephen L. Miller, who criticized his “ghoulish act of talking to AI Ghosts.”
Jim Acosta turned off replies on Twitter for his ghoulish act of talking to AI Ghosts. Let's see how the replies are going over on BlueSky. https://t.co/qunaYOGWLu pic.twitter.com/uCkIAzf2V2
undefined Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) August 4, 2025
The “interview” was picked up by various media pundits like Collin Rugg, who responded saying that Acosta’s decision was “insane.”
NEW: Former CNN host Jim Acosta gives an interview with an AI version of a deceased Parkland victim to push gun control.
undefined Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 4, 2025
Acosta: “I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.”
AI Joaquin Oliver: “Great question. I believe in a mix of stronger gun control… pic.twitter.com/ArAvRy939l
Following the backlash, Acosta posted to Bluesky, potentially searching for reprieve from the barrage of unrelenting hate on X.
His post starts by saying that “The father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver approached me to help them remember their son,” seemingly justifying his decision and hiding behind the dead teen's father.
The post includes a video of Manuel, who Acosta fondly calls “Manny,” explaining that he and his wife asked Acosta, whom they call their friend, to interview their son. Oliver’s father said in the video that “thanks to AI,” they can bring their son back.
The father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver approached me to help them remember their son. Here’s his dad Manny explaining why. His son would be 25 today. It’s his birthday.
undefined Jim Acosta (@jimacosta.bsky.social) August 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM
[image or embed]
Acosta may have believed that users on Bluesky were more forgiving, but they also had a bone to pick with the journalist.
“No mercy, Jim, you dumb ho,” said one user, while others acknowledged that Acosta was attempting to justify his decisions via a new platform.
“So instead of listening to the multitude of voices condemning this, you're trying to justify what you've done. I don't care that the parents are providing the material. Turning a deceased person into a puppet to parrot talking points is WRONG. No matter who does it.”
‘Now you are hiding behind the father and saying it's his fault you made a bad decision? Why are you digging the hole deeper, Jim? Stop pointing fingers and just accept that you did something wrong,” echoed another user.