A Michigan Republican Senate candidate has faced mockery after an AI-altered image depicting him with a superhero physique went viral. The image, posted on X by a campaign vendor staffer, shows former Congressman Mike Rogers leading a parade with exaggerated muscles.
The post, which has garnered 1.7 million views, includes a disclaimer that it was 'made with AI.' Critics quickly pointed out the stark difference between the AI image and the original 2024 photo on which it was based. Rival candidate Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat, jokingly referred to it as 'gender affirming care,' referencing Rogers' past pledge to ban transgender athletes from sports.
Former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash compared Rogers to 'Homelander,' a character from the superhero series The Boys. Other politicians joined in with spoofs, including Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida, who posted an AI-enhanced image of himself, and Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan, who shared a parody featuring her in a Wonder Woman costume.
The Rogers campaign denied creating the image, stating that the original poster was not a staffer. However, the campaign quickly embraced the viral moment, posting an AI video of a muscular Rogers entering a wrestling ring and tearing open his shirt to reveal an American flag. Rogers is running for the Senate seat vacated by Democrat Gary Peters, but recent polls show him trailing leading Democratic candidates.
Experts note that AI-generated images are becoming increasingly common in political campaigns, with voters seemingly less concerned about authenticity. Mike Ananny, a professor at the University of Southern California, remarked, 'All gloves are off. People don’t seem to care.'
