Pro-Paxton Super PAC Unleashes $10 Million AI Attack Ad Targeting James Talarico
Updated
Updated · Mother Jones · Aug 9
Pro-Paxton Super PAC Unleashes $10 Million AI Attack Ad Targeting James Talarico
3 articles · Updated · Mother Jones · Aug 9
Summary
$10 million in ad spending backs a new AI-generated spot from a pro-Paxton Super PAC that remixes Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 “Daisy” ad to attack Texas Rep. James Talarico.
The ad replaces the original nuclear-blast imagery with an AI-created child on an operating table and claims Talarico backs gender-related medical treatment for minors, aiming to stoke parental fear.
Talarico’s campaign called the spot a “deep fake” and said he does not support gender reassignment surgery for minors, accusing the ad of lying about his position.
The American Principles Project developed the ad, extending a broader Paxton-allied strategy that has already used AI-generated anti-Talarico ads focused on transgender youth.
The release underscores how generative AI is being folded into culture-war campaigning in Texas as Paxton seeks a Senate win by making trans issues central to the race.