POLITICSDIFFERENT FOCUS10/05/26

AI in the 2026 Midterms

AI tools are playing a growing role in the 2026 midterms through deepfakes, ads, and voter research.

Photo: Fox News Politics

FRAMING Axios and NPR Politics emphasized Deepfakes & Legal Threats; Fox News Politics emphasized AI Lowers Ad Costs.

WHAT BOTH SIDES REPORT

▸AI is playing a significant role in the 2026 midterm election cycle. — Axios, Fox News Politics
▸Congress has not yet established a federal standard governing AI use in campaigns. — Axios, Fox News Politics

LEFT / CENTER-LEFT

▸Rep. Derrick Van Orden received a cease-and-desist letter over an AI deepfake falsely depicting his Democratic opponent. — Axios
▸An AI video falsely showed opponent Rebecca Cooke endorsing illegal alien healthcare and corruption. — Axios
▸Some voters are using AI chatbots to research ballots and help decide who to vote for. — NPR Politics
▸AI deepfakes have proliferated this election cycle as legal complaints and threats mount against candidates. — Axios

RIGHT / CENTER-RIGHT

▸Generative AI now lets campaigns produce attack ads in minutes that once required days and large teams. — Fox News Politics
▸AdImpact identified 29 federal and gubernatorial ads disclosing AI content; Wesleyan Media Project counted at least 164 AI-influenced ads. — Fox News Politics
▸Whether AI-generated campaign content actually wins votes remains an open question. — Fox News Politics

DOJ California Voter Fraud Sweep

DOJ charged 28 noncitizens and arrested 11 in California under 'Operation Protect the Vote.'

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Tuesday: DOJ charges 28 noncitizens, arrests 11 in California

Left: Defendants say they never registered to vote.

Right: DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 noncitizen voters.

The DOJ warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could result in criminal prosecution.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Left: Feds pressure California mid-election with criminal threat

Right: Trump vows jail if noncitizen ballots are counted

At a CNN town hall, Talarico defended his nine-day flu absence and criticized Paxton for conspiracy theories.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 12: Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico attributed a roughly two-week campaign absence to having the flu.

Thursday: Talarico defends flu absence, attacks Paxton conspiracy claims

Left: Paxton allies falsely called it a mental health crisis.

Right: Talarico says he'd handle his flu absence the same way.

Trump rallied in Dalton, Georgia, backing Senate and governor candidates Collins and Jackson.

Left: PBS: Rally hits a state split by Trump's claims

Right: Breitbart: NFL star Gurley joins Trump on stage