Raleigh Millionaire Launches AI Attack Campaign Targeting Mark Robinson

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Good morning, readers.

Here’s some conversation fodder for your weekend: a Raleigh millionaire just dropped the latest phase of his aggressive, AI-aided, darkly whimsical satire campaign against Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. 

One electronic billboard, posted on the side of a truck that will roam the city for weeks, shows Lieutenant Governor Robinson edited into a seat next to Rosa Parks with the caption “And the Civil Rights Movement was CRAP!” Yes, that’s a real thing that Robinson said.

And on Facebook, you may also hear an AI-generated version of Robinson’s voice also telling you that “Some people need killing,” or see him edited into a satanic onesie and proclaiming himself a murderer because he paid for his now-wife’s abortion. (The real Robinson has called abortion “murder” and “satanic madness” but has never called himself a murderer.)

The campaign is the latest from Americans for Prosparody, a PAC founded and funded by Todd Stiefel.

“Too many people aren’t familiar with the crazy things that have come out of Robinson’s mouth,” said Stiefel. “These billboards will help educate voters about just how extreme, dangerous and downright weird he is.”

During this spring’s primary, Stiefel’s parody-producing PAC ran several similar ads focused on Robinson before he was officially the Republican nominee. Those ads featured the more cartoonish “Mark Rottenson” character with a villainous mustache and an old-timey hat.

By using some real quotes alongside some satirical content, all in Robinson’s AI voice, some of the ads blur the line between reality and parody. That drew some flack from Republican and Democratic campaigns alike in March.

And the PAC has plans to announce a “larger ad buy” in the coming days. 

Check out our first look at the most inflammatory political ads of the election cycle.

And have a good weekend.

—Chase

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