Lawmakers Push AI Ads Act as Synthetic Campaign Videos Surge in U.S. Midterms

AI-generated campaign clips are reshaping the 2026 midterm race, even as federal lawmakers seek new limits on synthetic political ads that falsely depict candidates or committees. Viral videos of California races and a high-profile Texas attack spot have shown how quickly generative tools can move from novelty to campaign weapon—while regulators scramble to keep pace.