Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn stated she stands by a viral AI-generated campaign video that depicted her singing alongside other GOP figures, a clip that drew criticism from Democratic opponents and some commentators for its use of artificial intelligence in political messaging. The 12-second video, posted on X on Oct. 13, featured Blackburn and other Republican leaders on a football field set to Kendrick Lamar’s song "Not Like Us," a track popularized during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Blackburn, who is running for governor, described the clip as "funsies" and noted it was created by a local county commissioner.
The video was shared by Blackburn’s campaign account with the caption, "Tomorrow. Ready to roll," ahead of the first day of early voting in Tennessee. It depicted Blackburn, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), state Sen. Brent Taylor (R-TN), and former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, known professionally as wrestler Kane. The clip used AI to animate Blackburn singing into a microphone while the music played in the background. The race for Tennessee governor is to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerri Green criticized the campaign's reliance on artificial intelligence to produce political content. "When I say please stop using AI to support our campaign, this is what I mean," Green said in a statement responding to the video. Critics on the left also accused the campaign of exploiting black culture for political gain, a charge leveled after the clip gained traction on social media. The criticism highlights growing tensions over the role of AI in elections, particularly when synthetic media is used to mimic real-life performances or statements by public figures.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Blackburn dismissed the criticism, emphasizing the grassroots origin of the content. "There is a county commissioner that made the video and put it up, and I think Congressman [Tim] Burchett reposted it. We reposted it, and it’s a funsies," Blackburn said when asked by The Daily Wire about the strategy behind the clip. She urged voters to participate in the early voting process, stating, "Everybody get out and vote!" Blackburn, a staunch ally of President Trump, has framed her campaign around working with the Trump administration on issues such as immigration enforcement, violent crime, and school choice. She recently attended a Trump rally in Clarksville, where she vowed to make Tennessee "America’s leading conservative state" and ensure it never becomes "California."
What the Numbers Show
The Cook Political Report rates the Tennessee governor’s race as Solid Republican. Blackburn’s support for AI regulation stands in contrast to the use of AI in her own campaign; last month, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blocked Blackburn’s effort to pass the bipartisan NO FAKES Act. The proposed legislation would have allowed individuals to sue over artificial intelligence "deepfakes" and establish a federal intellectual property right for every American’s voice and visual likeness. "Our bill would establish clear guardrails that protect our creators in Tennessee and across the entire country," Blackburn said in a floor speech regarding the act, according to Politico. If Blackburn wins the governorship, her departure from the Senate would create a vacancy requiring an appointment by the governor and a subsequent special election. Blackburn declined to specify potential appointees, stating she is focused on the November election.
The Bottom Line
The incident underscores the increasing intersection of AI technology and political campaigning, even among candidates who advocate for stricter AI regulations. While Blackburn maintains the video was a lighthearted, locally produced effort, the reaction from her Democratic opponent reflects broader concerns about authenticity and cultural appropriation in digital media. The race remains heavily favored for the Republican nominee according to current political ratings. Voters will determine whether the campaign’s use of synthetic media influences the outcome as early voting concludes and the general election approaches.