Blackburn’s AI Dance Sparks Backlash and Legal Questions

Marsha Blackburn, the Republican candidate for governor, dropped a quirky video on Oct. 13. The clip shows her and a handful of Tennessee officials dancing to Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'. The scene copies the moves from Lamar's big Super Bowl performance. Blackburn stands in the middle while Senator Brent Taylor, Representative Tim Burchett, Senator Bill Hagerty and Mayor Glenn Jacobs—costumed as his old WWE persona—form a V shape behind her. She sings a short line and strikes a pose. The caption reads, "Tomorrow. Ready to roll," a nod to the early voting that begins the next day.

The post quickly gathered over 5,000 likes and comments on Instagram and Facebook. Democratic challenger Jerri Green fired back on X, saying, "When I say please stop using AI to support our campaign, this is what I mean..." Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger also weighed in, calling it "Holy what" and joking that "Boomer thinks AI makes her look cool." Even some fellow Republicans joined the mockery, pointing out how odd the AI‑crafted clip looks and questioning why the campaign leans on such a flashy stunt.

Legal watchers wonder whether the video breaks Tennessee’s new deepfake disclosure rule. The law requires any political ad that shows a candidate doing something they never actually did to carry a clear warning. It does not ban AI content outright, but affected officials could sue if they feel harmed. There is also talk of the state’s voice‑and‑likeness protection act. If Blackburn used Kendrick Lamar’s song or mimicked his dance without permission, the music rights holder could pursue action. The video’s creators would need to secure those rights to stay on the safe side.

Blackburn’s campaign has been anything but traditional. She has skipped debates and leaned on eye‑catching videos instead. A recent poll of 600 likely voters puts her ahead at 45% of the vote. The latest clip may be her most talked‑about moment yet, drawing both attention and criticism as the midterms approach.