GOP gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn caught voters off guard again after posting an AI-generated meme featuring herself and several other Tennessee officials dancing to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
Posted on Oct. 13, the day before early voting for the midterms began in Tennessee, the video marks the second time Blackburn has shared a campaign video that sparked online satire and scrutiny, including criticism from her Democratic opponent, Jerri Green. The first time the GOP nominee drew humorous backlash was after she posted a video of herself crushing fortune cookies and promised to "hunt down communists."
Beyond Green's response, the video has also drawn criticism because of a recently passed state law governing AI deepfakes in political
advertising, raising questions about whether Blackburn's post complies with the measure.
The post comes amid Blackburn's race for governor. According to a recent TargetSmart Communications poll of 600 likely voters, she leads with 45% of the vote.
Between declining to debate any of her opponents and posting unconventional videos, Blackburn's gubernatorial campaign has certainly been something to watch, and her latest video might be its most eye-catching moment yet.
Why is Marsha Blackburn dancing like Kendrick Lamar in social post?
Accompanying Blackburn in her AI-generated meme are Tennessee state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis; U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett; U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty; and Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who is dressed as Kane, his alter ego from his WWE days.
With Blackburn at the center, the four other Republican officials join her in a V formation. An AI-generated Blackburn then sings and dances to Lamar's "Not Like US," with her colleagues acting as background dancers.
"Tomorrow. Ready to roll," wrote Blackburn in the post's caption, referring to the start of early voting.
The brief video mirrors the choreography from Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How have people reacted to Marsha Blackburn's meme?
The majority of reactions to Blackburn's post have come from opponents, who have criticized and mocked the video over her reported support for data centers, her use of the hit song and dance, and the video's peculiar nature.
On both Instagram and Facebook, the post has generated more than 5,000 likes and comments.
Unsurprisingly, one of the video's most notable critics was Democratic opponent Jerri Green, who responded on X shortly after Blackburn shared the video.
"When I say please stop using AI to support our campaign, this is what I mean...," wrote Green.
Former Illinois Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger also responded to the post,writing on X, "Holy what" and "Boomer thinks AI makes her look cool."
Social media users echoed Green's and Kinzinger's comments, referencing the use of AI and the video's perceived absurdity, with fellow Republicans also joining the criticism.
Did Marsha Blackburn break the deepfakes law with AI post?
A Reddit discussion about the AI video questioned whether it violates Tennessee's new Transparency for Deepfakes in Political Advertising Act or the state's 2024 ELVIS Act.
Tennessee's transparency for deepfakes law applies when a political advertisement depicts a candidate saying or doing something they did not actually do and fails to include a required disclosure. However, the law does not ban political AI content outright.
As a result, the politicians depicted in Blackburn's video would likely need to pursue legal action if they believed the video was harmful to their campaigns and careers.
The ELVIS Act, which protects voice and likeness rights, could have been violated if Blackburn did not obtain the rights to Lamar's song or used AI to replicate his Super Bowl dance without permission. Any potential violation involving Lamar's music or likeness would require legal action from the rights holders.
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Marsha Blackburn dances like Kendrick Lamar in 'painfully cringe' AI post
