Overview

• On August 6, NewsNation host Chris Cuomo posted a clearly labeled parody video that used AI to depict Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denouncing Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad.
• Within hours, Ocasio-Cortez identified the clip as a deepfake and urged Cuomo to apply critical thinking before amplifying unverified content.
• Cuomo deleted the video after about three hours and acknowledged it was a deepfake, then shifted his focus in subsequent tweets to challenging her on unrelated policy matters.
• Journalists and social media users mocked Cuomo’s initial misstep and non-apology, with tech reporters suggesting formal media literacy measures similar to recurring “internet driver’s licenses.”
• The episode underscores AI-driven misinformation challenges, renewing debates over journalistic credibility and prompting calls for improved digital literacy and regulatory safeguards.