Senate Republicans deepfaked Chuck Schumer, and X hasn’t taken it down 

Senate Republicans to share A deepfake video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appears to show Democrats celebrating the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted 16 days.

In DeepFake, an AI-generated Schumer repeats the phrase “Every day gets better for us,” an actual quote taken out of context. A Punchbowl News article. In the original story, Schumer discussed Democrats’ health-care-focused shutdown strategy and said they won’t back down from Republicans’ playbook and “bamboo” threats.[ling]”

The shutdown is happening because Democrats and Republicans can’t agree to pass a government funding bill in October and beyond. Democrats are trying to retain tax credits that would make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans, protect against Trump’s Medicaid cuts and block cuts to government health agencies.

The video was posted Friday on the Senate Republicans’ X account. According to X’s policy, the platform prohibits “fraudulently sharing”.[ing] Synthetic or manipulated media that may cause harm.” Harmful content includes media that “might mislead the public” or “cause significant confusion on a public issue.”

Enforcement actions include content removal, label warnings or visibility reduction. X has not, as of this writing, removed the deepfake or added a warning label — though the video does include a watermark indicating its AI origin.

Schumer’s video isn’t the first time X has allowed deepfakes of politicians to remain on the platform. By the end of 2024, Share X Malik Elon Musk A manipulated video of former Vice President Kamala Harris before the election has sparked controversy over misleading voters.

TechCrunch has reached out to X for comment.

Up to 28 states have enacted laws banning deepfakes of political figures, particularly around campaigns and elections, though most do not outright ban them if they are overtly revealing. California, Minnesota and Texas prohibit deepfakes intended to influence elections, deceive voters or harm candidates.

It comes weeks after President Donald Trump posted a deepfake on Truth Social, in which Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, made false statements about immigration and voter fraud.

Joanna Rodriguez, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, responded to criticism of the lack of integrity and ethics. said: “AI is here and going nowhere. Adapt and win or pearl clutch and lose.”