Senate Republicans recently disseminated an artificial intelligence-generated deepfake video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the social media platform X, purportedly showing Democrats celebrating the current 16-day government shutdown. The video, posted Friday on the Senate Republicans' official X account, depicts an AI-generated Schumer repeating the phrase "every day gets better for us," a quote taken out of context from a Punchbowl News article. In its original context, Schumer was reportedly discussing the Democrats' healthcare-focused strategy during the shutdown and their resolve against Republican tactics.
The ongoing government shutdown stems from an inability by Democrats and Republicans to agree on legislation funding federal operations. Key disagreements include Democrats' efforts to retain tax credits aimed at reducing health insurance costs for millions of Americans, reverse previous Medicaid cuts, and prevent reductions to government health agencies.
X's platform policies prohibit "deceptively shar[ing] synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm," specifically citing content that could "mislead people" or "cause significant confusion on public issues." Enforcement actions outlined by X include content removal, warning labels, or reduced visibility. As of this report, X has not removed the deepfake or applied a warning label, though the video does carry a watermark indicating its AI origins. TechCrunch has reportedly reached out to X for comment regarding the matter.
This incident marks a continuation of manipulated media appearances on the platform. In late 2024, X owner Elon Musk reportedly shared a manipulated video of former Vice President Kamala Harris, leading to discussions about voter deception. Furthermore, former President Donald Trump recently posted deepfakes of Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Truth Social, featuring them making false statements about immigration and voter fraud.
Legally, at least 28 U.S. states have enacted laws restricting deepfakes involving political figures, particularly those related to campaigns and elections. States such as California, Minnesota, and Texas specifically prohibit deepfakes intended to influence elections, deceive voters, or cause harm to candidates. Responding to criticisms regarding the video, Joanna Rodriguez, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, stated, "AI is here and not going anywhere. Adapt & win or pearl clutch & lose."
