Cooke Issued Cease-and-Desist to Van Orden
The campaign accused Rep. Derrick Van Orden of using AI-generated footage in a deceptive campaign advertisement.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Elections
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Rebecca Cooke sent a formal cease-and-desist letter to Rep. Derrick Van Orden in September 2026, challenging an advertisement posted online. The dispute centers on claims that the incumbent used AI-generated video to misrepresent the candidate's public statements.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights concerns over the use of synthetic media in political advertising and potential loopholes in campaign regulations. The letter asserts that the video, which allegedly depicts an event in Eau Claire, creates a defamatory narrative about Cooke.
The legal notice was filed by attorney Ben Stafford, alleging that a video posted on August 4, 2026, is defamatory under Wisconsin common law. Wisconsin election statutes currently do not explicitly regulate such content for federal congressional candidates.
The players
Rebecca Cooke
She is a political candidate currently campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Derrick Van Orden
He is the incumbent U.S. Representative currently facing a reelection challenge.
Ben Stafford
He is an attorney with the Elias Law Group who serves as the representative for the Cooke campaign.
The details
The campaign alleges that the video, which was shared on X, falsely purports to show Rebecca Cooke in Eau Claire alongside Joe Biden. By attributing a statement about free electricity to Cooke, the campaign claims the footage uses fabricated media to damage her reputation.
Timeline
August 4, 2026: The video in question was posted to the social media platform X.
Political Context
Opponents argue that current state-level restrictions on AI-generated content in politics remain inadequate for managing the rapid evolution of synthetic campaign media. This legal challenge underscores the growing pressure to expand regulatory oversight to include federal election cycles.
Voters should be aware that current election laws may not protect against synthetic misinformation in federal campaigns. This dispute serves as a reminder to verify the origin and authenticity of political media shared across social platforms.
The takeaway
The use of synthetic media in political advertising has created new legal challenges that outpace current state election statutes. Voters are encouraged to approach AI-enhanced content with skepticism while regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
Further reading
For more on the state's ongoing political developments, explore our Wisconsin Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Raw Story.
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Should political campaigns be prohibited from using AI-generated imagery in their advertisements?
