Deepfake of Chuck Schumer Circulates Online - X's Response

Deepfake Video Shared by Senate Republicans

A deepfake video featuring Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was disseminated by Senate Republicans. The intention was to portray Democrats as supportive of the ongoing, 16-day government shutdown.

Origin of the Deepfake

The AI-generated video presents Schumer repeatedly stating, “every day gets better for us.” This phrase was extracted from a Punchbowl News article, but presented entirely out of its original context.

In the original reporting, Schumer was outlining the Democrats’ strategy regarding the shutdown, centered on healthcare. He emphasized their unwillingness to concede to Republican tactics of intimidation and deception.

The Cause of the Shutdown

The current government shutdown stems from a disagreement between Democrats and Republicans concerning the passage of a funding bill. This bill would cover government operations through October and beyond.

Democrats are advocating for the preservation of tax credits that lower healthcare costs for millions of Americans. They also seek to reverse cuts to Medicaid implemented during the Trump administration and prevent reductions in funding for government health agencies.

X’s Response and Policies

The video appeared on the Senate Republicans’ X account on Friday. X’s established policies explicitly prohibit the deceptive sharing of synthetic or manipulated media likely to cause harm.

Such harmful content includes media capable of misleading individuals or generating significant public confusion on important issues. Enforcement measures range from content removal to warning labels and reduced visibility.

As of this writing, X has not removed the deepfake video nor appended a warning label. However, the video does feature a watermark indicating its artificial intelligence origins.

Previous Instances and Legal Landscape

This is not the first instance of X allowing deepfakes of political figures to persist on its platform. Late in 2024, Elon Musk, the owner of X, shared a manipulated video of former Vice President Kamala Harris prior to the election, prompting discussions about potential voter deception.

Currently, up to 28 states have enacted legislation addressing deepfakes of political figures, particularly concerning campaigns and elections. While most laws do not constitute outright bans, they often require clear disclosures.

California, Minnesota, and Texas have implemented bans on deepfakes intended to influence elections, deceive voters, or inflict harm upon candidates.

Recent Actions and Reactions

This post follows recent deepfakes shared by former President Donald Trump on Truth Social. These depicted Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, making demonstrably false claims regarding immigration and voter fraud.

In response to criticism regarding the ethics and honesty of the practice, Joanna Rodriguez, the National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director, stated: “AI is here and not going anywhere. Adapt & win or pearl clutch & lose.”

TechCrunch has contacted X for a statement regarding the matter.