GOP Deploys Deepfake; X Ignores Harm?

Hustler Words – Senate Republicans are facing scrutiny after sharing a deepfake video of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on X, formerly Twitter. The manipulated video, seemingly designed to portray Democrats as celebrating the ongoing government shutdown, has ignited debate about the platform’s content moderation policies and the ethical implications of AI-generated political content.

The deepfake features an AI-generated version of Schumer repeating the phrase "every day gets better for us," a quote lifted from a Punchbowl News article but presented entirely out of context. The original article discussed the Democrats’ healthcare-focused shutdown strategy, where Schumer stated they would not back down from Republican tactics of threats and manipulation.

The government shutdown stems from disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over funding the government beyond October. Democrats are fighting to preserve tax credits that lower health insurance costs for millions, reverse Trump-era Medicaid cuts, and prevent cuts to government health agencies.

The video was posted on the Senate Republicans’ official X account on Friday. X’s stated policies prohibit the "deceptive sharing of synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm," including content that could mislead people or cause significant confusion on public issues. While the video includes a watermark indicating its AI origin, X has not removed the deepfake or added a warning label as of this writing.

This incident isn’t isolated. In late 2024, X owner Elon Musk shared a manipulated video of former Vice President Kamala Harris, raising similar concerns about the spread of misinformation on the platform.

This publication has reached out to X for comment but has not received a response as of press time.

The use of deepfakes in political discourse is a growing concern. While many states have laws addressing deepfakes of political figures, particularly during campaigns, these laws often focus on disclosure rather than outright bans. California, Minnesota, and Texas, for example, have banned deepfakes intended to influence elections, deceive voters, or harm candidates.

Recently, former President Donald Trump also posted deepfakes on Truth Social depicting Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries making false statements about immigration and voter fraud.

In response to criticism, Joanna Rodriguez, the National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director, stated, "AI is here and not going anywhere. Adapt & win or pearl clutch & lose." This statement highlights the growing acceptance and utilization of AI in political messaging, regardless of the ethical implications.