California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire for posting artificial intelligence–generated videos that mock Vice President JD Vance. The videos, which appeared on Newsom's official social media account on Wednesday, depicted Vance in a demeaning light, contrasting with the governor's previous support for laws regulating the use of deepfakes in political content.
One video transformed Vance into a cartoonish figure with a yellow face and oversized glasses, akin to a minion from the "Despicable Me" series. Additionally, Vance's voice was altered to a high-pitched tone. A subsequent AI-generated video portrayed Vance as heavier and curly-haired, referencing a debunked internet rumor about an inappropriate encounter with a couch. The caption alongside the video took a jab at Vance regarding tariffs: "POOR JD! HIS SWEET BELOVED COUCH NOW COSTS MORE WITH THE TARIFFS!"
The backlash was swift, with critics pointing out the apparent hypocrisy in Newsom's actions, given his administration's push for legislation that restricts AI-generated media during political campaigns. In 2024, California passed a series of laws prohibiting "materially deceptive" content, which includes altered images, videos, or audio that could mislead voters or damage a candidate's electoral chances. The regulations also encompass satirical content, requiring it to carry clear disclaimers.
Newsom had championed these measures, partly to shield then–Vice President Kamala Harris from potentially damaging online memes and ads. However, these regulations faced legal challenges, notably from satirical outlet the Babylon Bee, which contended that the laws infringed upon free speech and political satire.
The controversy intensified with the circulation of Newsom's old social media post, where he asserted that manipulating a voice in ads should be illegal. This contradiction attracted attention from various observers, including the Libs of TikTok Twitter account, which highlighted Newsom's past stance alongside the recent videos.
Governor Newsom's social media tactics have also drawn comparisons to President Donald Trump's online behavior. Newsom's use of all-caps text and a provocative tone mirrors Trump's well-known style. The videos targeting Vance followed Trump's sharing of AI-generated content that caricatured House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, which was criticized as "racist."
The debate around these videos raises questions about the boundaries of political satire, the ethical use of AI in political discourse, and the responsibility of public figures to uphold the standards they promote. As California's deepfake regulations continue to be challenged in court, the discussion on freedom of expression and the prevention of misinformation in politics remains a contentious issue.
