Daniel Wong’s campaign removes AI endorsement video as opponent seeks criminal inquiry

Daniel Wong’s campaign has removed an AI-generated video depicting Black voters endorsing him for Fort Bend County Judge after backlash. Democratic opponent Dexter McCoy is seeking a criminal inquiry, alleging their images were used without permission. The campaign disputes that account, saying an outside supporter made the video and told its spokesperson he had obtained consent.

Personal testimonials, generated with AI

The video presented a series of personal endorsements for Wong, the Republican interim county judge running for the permanent position. Its figures credited him with finding them work, buying food and helping keep their electricity on. Houston Public Media reported on October 27 that the campaign had posted the video the previous week and deleted it after criticism.

Wong communications director Bobby Eberle described the people depicted as genuine supporters whose likenesses had been enhanced with AI tools.

Consent claimed through the creator

The campaign says it neither produced nor commissioned the video. Instead, it says an outside Democratic supporter created it independently and passed it to the campaign. Eberle described the creator as a Black Democrat supporting Wong over McCoy and said the other people featured were also Wong supporters. Houston Public Media could not independently verify who created it.

Eberle’s assurance about permission was based on a conversation with that creator, rather than confirmation from the people depicted. He told FOX 26 that the creator said he had received consent. The station said it had been unable to contact the individuals and was seeking to speak with them, leaving their own accounts of permission unresolved.

McCoy, a Democratic county commissioner challenging Wong, alleges the opposite: that real people’s images were used to make them say things they had never agreed to say. He called the treatment exploitative.

As a leader, you accept responsibility for anything that you or your organization does. The buck stops with you as a leader.

Dexter McCoy, speaking to FOX 26

McCoy made that argument when FOX 26 asked him about the campaign’s response. Wong’s team had emphasized the creator’s Democratic affiliation and accused McCoy of making the controversy about race.

An inquiry request, not a confirmed investigation

McCoy says he is calling for a criminal investigation over alleged misrepresentation of identity. But the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office told FOX 26 it had received no formal complaints as of the station’s October 26 report.

Texas also has an election-law restriction on deepfake videos. Houston Public Media described it as prohibiting their creation and publication or distribution within 30 days of an election when intended to injure a candidate or influence the result.

Political attorney Andrew Cates told Houston Public Media that the provision covers AI-generated video but not AI-created photos or audio. He favors extending the restriction to at least six months before an election and said the statute’s wording makes violations difficult to prove.