John Cornyn’s Campaign Uses Very Tactic He Called ‘Phony’ The Same Day

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn criticized the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign advertising on Monday – the same day his campaign rolled out its own AI-powered attack ad.

Republican candidates for Texas Senate are turning to AI to beat their opponents ahead of the fast-approaching March 3 primaries. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign released an attack ad using AI-generated images of Cornyn on January 16. Asked Monday by CBS Texas about Paxton’s AI-powered ad, Cornyn called the fake content “absolutely stupid” and “pathetic,” while suggesting that the presence of AI in campaign advertising undermines a candidate’s message. (RELATED: John Cornyn unveils legislation to impose sanctions on anti-ICE agitators following Renee Good protests)

“If people see a fake ad made by artificial intelligence, that to me means they need to think carefully, everything is fake, including the message,” Cornyn told the outlet.

However, on the same day, the Cornyn campaign unveiled a 30-second digital ad — filled with AI-generated content — torching Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt, the third Republican candidate in the race.

WATCH:

In Cornyn’s video, a fake rendering of Hunt — who is waging an insurrection campaign against the outgoing president — is seen accompanying an AI-generated Pomeranian in various AI-created scenes. The digital ad contains several claims that Hunt is not conservative enough, with the spot’s narrator repeating the catchphrase “this dog won’t hunt.”

There are no warnings about the AI-generated content that appears in the 30-second video.

Asked to respond to Cornyn’s comment suggesting that AI-generated ads are “fake,” Cornyn’s campaign repeated many of the talking points disparaging Hunt that appear in the video.

“The only thing not true is that Wesley Hunt claims to be a MAGA Republican despite his record showing he voted for Hillary in 2008, refused to vote for Trump in 2016, and has always supported DEI. [diversity, equity and inclusion] policies from two nonprofit boards, and a recent report showing his chief of staff is spending $500/night on hotel rooms at taxpayer expense,” Cornyn campaign spokesman Matt Mackowiak said in a statement.

Mackowiak’s statement referenced previous DCNF reports investigating Hunt’s membership on several boards that advanced DEI and gender ideology policies prior to his congressional career. Hunt has been a staunch opponent of “woke” issues during his two terms in the House.

Hunt, 44, told DCNF that he found the use of AI in most ads “quite entertaining.”

“I would actually encourage Senator Cornyn to start using AI more, because that would help him,” Hunt added. “For the first time in years, it makes him look younger.”

Cornyn, 73, is seeking a fifth term in the Senate. Hunt officially entered the primary in early October after teasing a run for months. Paxton, 63, has been campaigning for the seat since April 2025.

AI-generated image of a Pomeranian seen in the Cornyn campaign’s 30-second digital ad.

AI-generated attack ads are becoming more common in major races, although videos using AI content usually come with a disclaimer. However, campaigns in Texas have no legal requirement to label AI-generated content.

Paxton’s 39-second spot shows mock renditions of Cornyn and Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is running late in her own Senate primary, as dance partners while performing the “Senate Swing” and the “Washington Waltz.” The AI-generated video is interwoven with actual comments Paxton’s opponents made complimenting each other, although Cornyn criticized Crockett on several occasions.

Paxton’s ad includes a lowercase message at the end stating: “Certain video content depicted in this ad was generated by artificial intelligence and constitutes satire that does not depict actual events.” »

The Republican primary has become increasingly unpleasant with just over a month until Election Day. With no candidate close to 50%, the three-way primary competition is expected to head to a May runoff in which the top two vote-getters would advance. President Donald Trump, whose support can often influence Republican primary outcomes, has yet to endorse a single candidate in the race.

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