Deepfakes are targeting politicians and it's getting real messy

The new political nightmare

If you’ve been feeling like you can’t trust your own eyes lately, you’re not alone. The vibes are officially off in the world of politics, thanks to AI-generated images that are making it easier than ever for bad actors to cook up fake drama.

Take Bianca Motley Broom, the mayor of College Park, Georgia. She recently found herself the subject of a viral Facebook image that falsely depicted her kissing a man who wasn't her husband. The AI-generated forgery spread across the internet before anyone could debunk it. "It also seeks to reinforce really tired stereotypes about women in leadership," Motley Broom said. She’s not letting it stop her, though—she's calling it the "tip of the iceberg."

It’s giving misinformation

This isn't just about local politics. High-key, the concern is nationwide. A recent poll by Rad Campaign and Women Who Tech found that 71% of people are worried about AI-generated deepfakes impacting our elections. People are actually more stressed about AI being used to sexualize women or spread election disinformation than they are about it taking their jobs.

Even high-profile figures aren't safe. Senator Raphael Warnock has dealt with fake images showing him with health issues and a full head of hair, while the White House has previously faced scrutiny for sharing a "meme" that was a digitally altered image of Nekima Levy Armstrong.

The legislative struggle

So, what’s the plan? The plot thickens as politicians try to figure out how to stop the madness without stepping on First Amendment rights. While some states like Tennessee have passed laws like the "Elvis Act" to protect against AI voice and likeness theft, Georgia—where Motley Broom is based—hasn't enacted specific deepfake protections yet.

Senator John Kennedy recently tried to push a bill for an AI "kill switch," but Senator Rand Paul blocked it, wanting more industry input. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is calling for urgent guardrails to protect the public. Until then, stay skeptical of what you see on your feed—real talk, the internet is officially in its chaos era.

Why it matters

As AI tools become more powerful and accessible, the line between reality and digital fiction is blurring. With elections looming, the potential for AI-driven disinformation to manipulate voters and ruin reputations is a major threat to democracy that lawmakers haven't yet mastered.