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Lynn Fitch says the posts appear to violate state deepfake law. The campaign called the underlying complaint a political stunt.
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The Mississippi attorney general’s request puts Scott Colom’s campaign under pressure to remove an AI-generated video portraying Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, while leaving open whether the video actually violated state law. Lynn Fitch says her office may seek an injunction and has ordered the campaign to preserve related records. The dispute tests a 2024 Mississippi law covering election-related deepfakes released within 90 days of an election, with criminal penalties possible if a violation is established.
Mississippi Republican Party Chair Mike Hurst asked Fitch to investigate on October 22; the Senate election is November 3.
The video and its social-media captions did not disclose AI use; the captions described it as “Based on a true story.”
Most convictions under the law can carry up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; intent to deter voting raises the maximum to five years and $10,000.
Scott Colom’s Senate campaign faces a possible injunction over AI-generated political ads depicting his opponent, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch asked the campaign to remove the posts on October 23, 2026, saying they appeared to violate state law against election-related deepfakes, according to WLBT. Her office may seek an injunction if the campaign does not comply.
Fitch also directed the campaign to preserve records related to the matter, warning against obstructing justice. Her statement was not a determination that the video violated state law.
Most convictions under the law can bring up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, the Clarion Ledger reported. Fitch said that if the intent is to “deter any person from voting,” the maximum rises to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The disputed video shows a figure resembling Hyde-Smith fleeing reporters and avoiding questions about health care and the senator’s “pick another protein” interview moment. On Instagram and Facebook, the captions read “Based on a true story.” Neither the video nor those captions disclosed that it was produced using artificial intelligence.
Fitch’s intervention followed a complaint from Mississippi Republican Party Chair Mike Hurst on October 22. Hurst asked her office to investigate a potential violation of a 2024 state law concerning deepfakes released within 90 days of an election. The Senate election is November 3.
Scott Colom didn't label this video as artificial intelligence. Instead, he claimed it was 'based on a true story.' That isn't satire. It isn't parody. It's deception, and Mississippi voters deserve better.
Mike Hurst, Mississippi Republican Party chair, in an October 22 news release
Responding to Hurst’s complaint on October 22, campaign manager Gerard Henderson called it “an act of desperation and an attempt to weaponize public office against political opponents.” He described the video as a joke and argued that voters had more important issues to consider. That response preceded Fitch’s removal request.
Campaign representatives did not immediately respond to the Clarion Ledger’s request for comment on Fitch’s letter or whether they intended to remove the video. The post remained on Facebook when the newspaper published its article at 12:40 p.m. Central on October 23.
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