Who’s behind the AI-generated social media posts targeting Oakland’s mayor? - The Oaklandside

Following Mayor Barbara Lee’s reelection campaign announcement in June 2025, a network of websites and social media accounts launched a coordinated effort to oppose her candidacy. The campaign utilizes AI-generated imagery to depict Lee in fabricated scenarios, such as dining at a German resort or interacting with individuals accused of corruption, to imply wrongdoing. This effort is part of a broader, rapidly expanding digital operation targeting progressive politicians and ballot measures across the East Bay.

What happened

The campaign is spearheaded by a federal super PAC named “Americans for Opportunity,” which has established at least 11 websites attacking various local figures, including Councilmember Carroll Fife, former Mayor Sheng Thao, and former District Attorney Pamela Price. These sites serve as automated political tools, featuring petitions, suggested social media messaging, and templates for contacting donors to hold them accountable. The content is designed to circulate in hyper-local digital spaces, such as Nextdoor and Facebook, to influence voter opinion.

Public records identify 25-year-old political consultant Jackson Peterson as the individual behind the Americans for Opportunity network. Peterson, a former local campaign manager, registered the PAC in March 2025. Although the organization claims to be a federal super PAC, which allows for unlimited contributions, its financial activities remain opaque. Federal election officials recently issued a warning to Peterson regarding missing mandatory quarterly reports of fundraising and expenditures. The network also maintains ties to a lobbying entity called Preston Public Affairs and has received engagement from political activists involved in previous recall efforts. Despite attempts to reach Peterson for comment, he has not responded to inquiries regarding the funding or objectives of these automated attack campaigns.