Why aren't Democrats/PACs making AI ads for 2026/2028?

In the lead-up to the May 2026 Kentucky Republican primary, AI-generated deepfake technology was deployed as a campaign tool by both incumbent Thomas Massie and his challenger, Michael Gallrein. The incident highlighted an emerging trend of using synthetic media to influence voter perception in high-stakes political contests.

What happened

The primary contest saw both Thomas Massie and Michael Gallrein utilizing AI-generated content to target each other. The use of these deepfake advertisements became a point of public discussion, prompting broader concerns regarding the ethics and legality of synthetic media in political campaigning. Reports noted that the candidates employed these digital tactics as part of their strategy to gain an edge in the GOP primary. The deployment of this technology in the Kentucky race has since served as a case study for experts analyzing the potential for future campaigns to be increasingly shaped by AI-generated deception. The incident has raised significant questions about the regulatory environment, with observers questioning the legality of using fabricated quotes and synthetic imagery to malign political opponents. As AI tools become more accessible, the 2026 Kentucky primary serves as an early example of how synthetic media is being integrated into the standard arsenal of political attack advertisements.