AI video mocks federal judge who is leading efforts to combat deepfakes - ABA Journal

Judge Jesse M. Furman of the Southern District of New York, a prominent figure currently leading the federal judiciary’s Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules, has become the target of a malicious deepfake video. The incident occurred while the judge was actively working on developing new legal rules to combat the use of synthetic media in the courtroom.

What happened

In May 2026, an X user named Terry Newsome published an AI-generated video featuring a synthetic version of Judge Furman. The video was posted on the same day that the judge sentenced private equity businessman Michael Castillero to 11 years in prison for fraud. The manipulated footage portrayed Judge Furman dressed in Nazi attire and included a fabricated statement where the digital avatar claimed to sentence the defendant to prison for being a Republican. The video specifically invoked the judge's nomination by former President Barack Obama to deliver its inflammatory message. Judge Furman publicly addressed the incident during a committee meeting, noting that anyone searching for his name on the platform could encounter the deepfake. The event underscores the irony of the situation, as the judge is currently tasked with establishing protocols to address the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content within the legal system.