UAW official barred for two years after threatening…

In August 2026, a United Auto Workers (UAW) official was suspended for two years following the publication of an AI-generated image on social media. The image depicted Will Lehman, a candidate for UAW president, bound and gagged with a shadowy figure pointing a rifle at him.

What happened

Ray Jensen, an organizer in the UAW's Department of Bargaining Strategy, posted the AI-generated content to Facebook. The post gained significant attention after Lehman raised concerns about the image in a press release and on social media. Lehman, who described the image as a death threat, received support from other union members who contacted the federal monitor overseeing the organization to express their disgust.

Neil Barofsky, the court-appointed union watchdog, issued the suspension after determining that Jensen violated union election rules prohibiting threats, intimidation, and retaliation. According to a signed stipulation, Jensen is barred from running for any elected union position and is prohibited from campaigning in the upcoming election. Furthermore, Jensen is required to issue a formal apology to Lehman.

Lehman, one of five candidates challenging current UAW President Shawn Fain, confronted Fain about the post during a recent presidential debate. While Fain stated that he does not condone the use of AI to create threatening content regarding candidates, he noted that he also receives similar AI-generated material and threats. The incident serves as a significant case regarding the intersection of political campaigning, synthetic media, and organizational disciplinary standards within a major labor union.