A.I. attack ad in Texas primary shows John Cornyn dancing with Jasmine Crockett

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and a Republican candidate in the state’s Senate primary, released an A.I.-generated attack video that depicts Senator John Cornyn dancing with Representative Jasmine Crockett. The video, published on Friday, shows a smiling but digitally faked version of Mr.

Cornyn twirling with Ms. Crockett against backdrops that include what appears to be a Texas dance hall and the U.S. Capitol. The clips are interspersed with real footage of Ms. Crockett praising Mr. Cornyn and news reports of Mr. Cornyn speaking positively about her. The social-media video runs 39 seconds and lacks the federal "I approve this message" disclaimer required for television ads, which means it could not air on linear television.

Campaign rules for broadcast do not apply to digital ads; the video does include a small-text disclaimer reading, "Certain video content depicted in this advertising was generated by artificial intelligence and is satire that does not represent real events." The release of the ad comes amid a crowded Republican primary: Mr.

Cornyn, 73, is seeking a fifth Senate term; Mr. Paxton, 63, has cultivated former President Donald Trump’s support and was impeached by the Republican-led State House in 2023 on bribery and corruption allegations. Representative Wesley Hunt is also running. Ms. Crockett, who entered the Democratic Senate race in December, issued a news release with a link to Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, Jasmine Crockett, Texas Senate Primary, Artificial Intelligence