Can Gen Z's deepfake intuition save democracy? Why spotting AI isn't enough to secure our…
During a record-breaking primary race in May 2025, Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie was targeted by AI-generated videos highlighting the risks of synthetic media in elections
- Incident date
- May 2025
- Target
- Thomas Massie
In May 2025, Representative Thomas Massie lost his primary election in a race that became the most expensive congressional primary in U.S. history at $32.6 million. Among the various campaign tactics used were AI-generated videos, including one depicting Massie in a compromising scenario with other political figures. While the video included a small disclaimer regarding its AI creation, Massie noted that the content was effective at reaching older voting demographics.
What happened
The attack on Massie utilized AI-generated imagery to depict him checking into a hotel room with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. The video, which featured smooth, cartoonish movements, was labeled as satire by the campaign that produced it. Conversely, a pro-Massie PAC deployed its own AI-generated video showing his opponent on a fictional battlefield.
These incidents highlight a growing trend in political campaigning where the barrier to entry for creating synthetic media has dropped significantly. According to industry experts, content that previously required thousands of dollars and professional production teams can now be created for approximately $50 overnight. Despite approximately 30 states implementing AI disclosure laws, these regulations have not prevented the proliferation of such ads.
Experts suggest that the effectiveness of these deepfakes relies less on technical perfection and more on the audience's lack of familiarity with the technology. Surveys indicate that nearly 40% of adults aged 65 and older have never heard the term "deepfake," leaving them vulnerable when consuming political content on broadcast television, where FCC disclosure requirements for AI are currently absent. While younger voters often approach digital content with a default skepticism developed through frequent exposure to AI memes and media, they participate in elections at significantly lower rates than older voters. This creates a scenario where synthetic political advertisements reach a reliable voting bloc that lacks the necessary frame of reference to distinguish between genuine and AI-generated misinformation.