AI posts of candidates raise concerns about…

In September 2026, AI-generated deepfake videos depicting congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke began circulating on the social media platform X. These videos, which characterized Cooke as the 'anointed one' by the Democratic establishment, have prompted significant debate regarding the ethical implications of synthetic media in political campaigns and the potential for voter deception.

What happened

The videos were posted by Congressman Derrick Van Orden, who is running against Cooke. The AI-generated content features the likeness of Cooke in a manner that she described as deceitful and misleading to voters who are struggling to distinguish between authentic and synthetic campaign materials. While Congressman Van Orden defended the posts as representative of his opponent's policies and values, the incident has highlighted a regulatory gap in the digital landscape.

Although Wisconsin passed a bill in 2024 requiring political campaigns to disclose the use of AI-generated content, these protocols do not currently extend to social media platforms. The lack of federal rules governing such content leaves voters largely responsible for verifying the authenticity of the information they consume. Experts warn that as AI technology becomes more advanced, the difficulty of distinguishing between reality and fabrication could severely undermine public confidence in future elections. In response to the circulating videos, Cooke and her team have indicated they are exploring legal options, including the potential issuance of a cease-and-desist order.