Russian-linked AI videos target democratic senate candidates in final days of midterms

Russian-linked AI videos are targeting Democratic Senate candidates Sherrod Brown in Ohio and James Talarico in Texas in the final days of the 2026 midterms. The videos use real names and photos, with one featuring Haya Akbik, a former intern, whom Akbik called 'completely made up.' Another video frames Talarico as a former student in a direct-to-camera confessional. Both candidates’ teams condemned the content as part of a broader disinformation campaign. The videos resemble content from Russian network Storm-1516, which previously targeted Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Experts Darren Linvill and Hany Farid say the videos are likely from the same network and were generated using AI. Social media company X removed initial posts, but copies remain online. Akbik urged Congress to regulate AI-generated content, calling it 'AI slop on the internet' that is 'so damaging.'