The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has defended an AI-generated attack ad depicting Democratic congressional candidate Jamie Ager dancing with an Asheville drag performer who has said her likeness was used without permission. Newsweek understands the ad was paid for by the NRCC and approved by Republican candidate Jennifer Balkcom. It uses AI to depict Ager dancing with a likeness of Asheville drag performer Nova at a barn dance attended by adults and children.
The ad was slammed by Ager, who called it “bullc***” in a social media statement. Ager and Balkcom are competing in the November 3 election for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. The ad and the NRCC’s comments appear to refer to a six-hour, fantasy-themed festival held at Ager’s family business, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, in May 2019.
The event was open to children and advertised the Asheville-based drag and advocacy group Beer City Sisters among a broader lineup that included costumed entertainers, puppeteers and fire dancers. Its public listing, however, did not specifically advertise a drag performance or identify “Sister Domina Trix” or “Sister Helen Bedd” as participants. A fact-check published Saturday by The News & Observer found that the NRCC did not provide evidence that either named performer attended the event when asked.
WYFF4 also reported that an Ager campaign spokesperson said the group ultimately did not attend. If they can use ai to falsify an event like this, what else would they do to demonize our community? WLOS also reported the drag queen had issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Balkcom campaign.
Richardson told Spectrum News 1: “The NRCC is in compliance with North Carolina law, which does not require the disclosure of AI usage in political advertisements.” First Amendment attorney Mike Tadych told WLOS that Nova could potentially pursue a misappropriation claim over the unauthorized use of her likeness in the ad, although he cautioned that political advertisements enjoy substantial First Amendment protection. WYFF4 reported that Nova and fellow drag performer Divine Holeburn had given the NRCC and Balkcom campaign until November 2 to stop using their likenesses in the ad or face potential legal action. Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story.
Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Rhian Morgan.
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