Gavin Newsom posts AI video mocking Vance despite passing law protecting Kamala from AI generated memes

California Governor Gavin Newsom has faced backlash after posting an AI-edited video mocking Vice President JD Vance, despite his administration's efforts to regulate deepfake content.

On Wednesday, Newsom shared a video on X that depicted Vance with a yellow face, fake glasses, and overalls, resembling a minion from the animated movie Despicable Me. The video also altered Vance's voice to a high-pitched tone. 

Additionally, Newsom's office released another AI-generated video portraying Vance as overweight and with curly hair, discussing "couches," a reference to a lie that Vance had a sexual experience with a couch.

"There are rumors that I once had an encounter with a Chesterfield," Vance said in the AI clip. "People exaggerate, twist the truth, but when you sit on one, you understand where such stories come from. The Chesterfield isn't just furniture, it's an experience, and some of us know that a little too well."

The video was captioned by Newsom’s office, "POOR JD! HIS SWEET BELOVED COUCH NOW COSTS MORE WITH THE TARIFFS!"

The posts quickly drew criticism due to the apparent hypocrisy. Last year, California implemented several laws designed to crack down on AI memes posted online, particularly ones that are “materially deceptive" or that compromise a candidate’s “electoral prospect” during election season.

This also applied to content satirical in nature that did not include a disclaimer. Newsom backed the laws in an effort to protect then-VP Kamala Harris from memes in ads making fun or her.

The laws were quickly subject to lawsuits, including by the satirical site the Babylon Bee, which accused the laws of being an attack on free speech.

Additionally, users noted a post made by Newsom last year in which he reiterated that “manipulating a voice in an ‘ad’” should “be illegal.”

Newsom’s social media accounts have recently relied on imitating President Trump, including typing in all caps and using common phrases used by the president. The attacks against Vance come after Trump posted an edited video portraying House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and a Mexican mustache. The video was branded by critics as “racist,” resulting in Trump doubling down by posting another similar video.

It's unclear if Jeffries was offended by being portrayed as Mexican or thought Mexicans would be offended that he was depicted in a Mexican hat. When Vance was asked about that during a White House press briefing, he said he didn't know what Jeffries meant either.