Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn criticized the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign advertising on Monday — the same day his campaign rolled out an AI-fueled attack ad of its own.
Texas’ GOP Senate candidates are turning to AI to knock their opponents ahead of the fast-approaching March 3 primary with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign releasing an attack ad using AI-generated images of Cornyn on Jan. 16. When asked by CBS Texas about Paxton’s AI-powered ad on Monday, Cornyn called the fake content “absolutely silly” and “pathetic” while suggesting the presence of AI in campaign advertising undermines a candidate’s message. (RELATED: John Cornyn Unveils Legislation To Slap Penalties On Anti-ICE Agitators Following Renee Good Protests)
“If people see a phony ad made by artificial intelligence, what that means to me is they must think well, the whole thing’s phony, including the message,” Cornyn told the outlet.
However the same day, the Cornyn campaign unveiled a 30-second digital ad — filled with AI-generated content — torching Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt, the third Republican candidate in the race.
WATCH:
In Cornyn’s video, a fake rendering of Hunt — who is running an insurgent campaign against the incumbent — is seen accompanying an AI-generated Pomeranian in various scenes created by AI. Included in the digital ad are several claims that Hunt is insufficiently conservative with the spot’s narrator repeating the catchphrase “that dog won’t hunt.”
There is no disclaimer that AI-generated content appears in the 30-second video.
Asked to respond to Cornyn’s comment suggesting that AI-generated ads are “phony,” the Cornyn campaign repeated many of the talking points bashing Hunt that appear in the video.
“The only thing phony is Wesley Hunt claiming to be a MAGA Republican despite his record showing voting for Hillary in 2008, refusing to vote for Trump in 2016, consistently supporting DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] policies on two nonprofit boards, and a recent report showing his Chief of Staff spending $500/night for hotel rooms at taxpayer expense,” Cornyn campaign spokesman Matt Mackowiak said in a statement.
Mackowiak’s statement referred to prior DCNF reporting probing Hunt’s membership on multiple boards that advanced DEI and gender ideology policies prior to his congressional career. Hunt has been a staunch opponent of “woke” issues during his two terms in the House.
Hunt, 44, told the DCNF he found the use of AI in most ads to be “pretty entertaining.”
“I would actually encourage Senator Cornyn to start using more AI, as it’ll help him,” Hunt added. “For the first time in years, it makes him look younger.”
Cornyn, 73, is running for a fifth Senate term. Hunt officially entered the primary in early October after teasing a run for months. Paxton, 63, has been campaigning for the seat since April 2025.
An AI-generated image of a Pomeranian seen in the Cornyn campaign’s 30-second digital ad.
AI-generated attack ads are becoming increasingly commonplace in major races, though videos using AI content usually come with a disclaimer. However, campaigns in Texas are under no legal obligation to label AI-generated content.
Paxton’s 39-second spot depicts fake renderings of Cornyn and Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is trailing in her own Senate primary, as dance partners while performing the “Senate Swing” and the “Washington Waltz.” The AI-generated video is interwoven with real comments Paxton’s opponents have made complimenting each other, though Cornyn has repeatedly criticized Crockett.
The Paxton ad includes a message in minuscule font at the end stating, “Certain video content depicted in this advertising was generated by artificial intelligence and is satire that does not represent real events.”
The Republican primary has grown increasingly nasty with just over a month until election day. With no candidate polling close to 50%, the three-way primary contest is expected to head to a May run-off election during which the top two vote-getters would advance. President Donald Trump, whose endorsement can often sway the results of GOP primaries, has yet to back a candidate in the race.
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