SAGINAW, MI — Jason Tunney, Republican candidate for Michigan’s state Senate 35th District seat, has filed a lawsuit against a man who allegedly used AI-generated deepfake videos to falsely depict Tunney in compromising situations.
The lawsuit filed in Saginaw County Circuit Court claims Jayden D. Scott, 23, on Dec. 20 created a Facebook page named “Trannys for Tunney,” on which he published a series of videos “purporting to depict (Tunney) engaging in speech or conduct that (he) never engaged in.”
Among the fake videos was one seemingly showing Tunney kissing another man on the mouth, the lawsuit states.
to read the five-page lawsuit.
Scott also allegedly posted statements that Tunney is “openly gay.” Tunney says this is untrue, as he is married to a woman. The suit also cites a statement Scott made to ABC12, in which he “admitted his involvement in the wrongful conduct.”
Scott told ABC12 he took down the video after about 10 hours because he could not verify its authenticity. He added he targeted Tunney for his perceived pro-LGBTQ stance, ABC12 reported.
“Jason Tunney is a winner,” Scott told MLive on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 4, saying he is now in support of Tunney’s campaign for state Senate. He said he expects to settle the lawsuit “amicably” in the coming weeks and plans to give Tunney some money for his “pain and suffering.”
The lawsuit lists Scott’s home address as being in Bay City, though records indicate he has not lived there in some time.
Tunney is seeking damages exceeding $25,000. Tunney has also contacted the Michigan State Police regarding the deepfake videos.
Tunney initially filed the suit naming Scott as a John Doe on Jan. 5 but amended it to feature his name on Monday, Feb. 2.
“The amended complaint speaks for itself,” Tunney said. “I’m grateful for the proactivity of the Michigan State Police in investigating the criminal nature of this matter and look forward to justice being served as the legal process plays out.”
Tunney won as the GOP candidate in the Tuesday, Feb. 3, primary election for the state’s 35th District Senate seat, garnering 9,335 votes to closest runner-up Christian Velasquez’s 7,733. He will face off against Democrat Chedrick Greene in the May 5 general election.
