Republican-Aligned Groups Spend $137 Million on AI Political Ads

The Wesleyan Media Project estimates that campaigns and outside groups spent over $137 million on AI-assisted political advertisements during the 2025-26 U.S. election cycle. This marks a massive increase from the less than $50,000 identified in 2024. Republican candidates and affiliated groups dominate the trend, sponsoring 81% of the 220 identified ads and accounting for 88% of the total spending.

These advertisements appeared across 34 states, though only 27% included AI disclaimers. High-profile targets include Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who was featured in a fabricated video by The Front Line Action depicting him with "Death to America" cards. Senator Jon Ossoff was targeted by the Senate Leadership Fund in an ad showing him at a beauty salon, while the National Republican Senate Committee produced a video of candidate James Talarico voicing comments he never made.

While 31 states have implemented deepfake laws, federal regulation remains limited. The Federal Election Commission declined to open new rulemaking on AI ads in 2024, citing existing laws against fraudulent misrepresentation, though the Federal Communications Commission has proposed disclosure requirements for certain radio and television ads. Senator Ossoff has warned that the proliferation of such content threatens the integrity of political debate.