Cook sends Van Orden cease-and-desist demand over AI ads — The Hill

In Wisconsin, United States, Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke sent Republican congressman Derrick Van Orden a letter demanding that he stop distributing campaign ads about her created using artificial intelligence. Cooke is Van Orden's opponent in the election for the U.S. House of Representatives, The Hill reports.

The candidate's claims

Cooke's attorney said in the letter that the videos falsely create the impression that the candidate made certain statements. According to him, such videos undermine the democratic process and constitute political smearing that voters are tired of.

The letter also states that Wisconsin's defamation laws supplement protections established by the state against fake AI videos. The attorney accused Van Orden's campaign of publishing ads with the apparent aim of harming Cooke's reputation for political advantage.

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Van Orden campaign's response

After receiving the letter, Van Orden posted another AI-generated video on social media. It depicts Cooke as a red bird wearing a Democratic Socialists of America T-shirt. Other videos from his campaign concerned Cooke's financial disclosures, which list her additional income from political consulting alongside her earnings as a waitress.

In a statement to local media outlet WEAU, Van Orden's campaign accused Cooke of lying and trying to conceal it. The Hill notes that it is currently unclear whether the congressman violated Wisconsin law. State law prohibits a person who knows information is false from distributing false and unauthorized advertising.

According to Cook Political Report's assessment, the district in central and western Wisconsin where Van Orden and Cooke are competing is among those where the candidates' chances are considered even. In the 2024 election, Cooke lost to Van Orden by just over 11,000 votes.