Politicians want to police ‘deepfakes’ to control the truth. The First Amendment says no

Published October 1, 2026 10:00am ET



The legal landscape around AI-generated speech is still evolving, but a recent decision in Montana offers a positive development for proponents of free speech.

Earlier this year, the Montana-based interest group Accountability in State Government sent AI-doctored political mailers to voters. One depicted a legislator spraying cash from a gas pump to display his support for a gas tax hike, and two others depicted Republican legislators sporting pride flags and pronoun pins to suggest their alignment with Democrats in the state legislature.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.