Stefanik challenger posts bizarre deepfake video of her mocking flirt with governor bid

Published July 10, 2025 7:42pm ET



Democrat Blake Gendebien, who is challenging Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for New York’s 21st Congressional District, released a partially artificial intelligence-generated campaign video Thursday that mocked Stefanik’s gubernatorial speculation.

The video shows Stefanik altered by AI in several scenarios, from speaking to the press to drinking a water bottle labeled “Lawler’s Tears.” The video’s soundtrack says at one point, “Am I running for governor? I just won’t say.”

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