Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke, pictured left, and Republican candidate Derrick Van Orden
Source: Rebecca Cooke Campaign | Derrick Van Orden Campaign
Legal counsel representing democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke has issued a formal cease and desist letter to U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden
Oct 2, 2026, 9:46 AM CT
Share
Legal counsel representing democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke has issued a formal cease and desist letter to incumbent U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden, demanding an immediate halt to the creation and dissemination of artificial intelligence-generated deepfake videos targeting her campaign.
The legal notice cites a pattern of deceptive social media posts published by the Van Orden campaign in recent months. According to Cooke's legal team, these synthetic media clips manipulate her likeness to fabricate statements and falsely represent her policy positions on critical issues.
The formal demand highlights a specific video posted to Van Orden's official X account on August 4. The video depicts an AI-generated image of Cooke speaking at a campaign event with former President Biden seated behind her, attributing statements to her regarding illegal immigration and healthcare that her team states she never made.
“Ms. Cooke never made the statements attributed to her. She does not support, and has never supported, the positions ascribed to her in this deepfake,” Cooke’s legal counsel wrote in the letter, emphasizing that the posts are intended to deceive voters and damage her reputation for political gain.
Addressing the situation directly, Cooke criticized the use of deepfake technology as an attempt to avoid meaningful debate on the issues impacting Wisconsin residents. She pointed out the irony of using AI technology generated by data centers—a key policy topic in the district—to produce deceptive campaign material.
“Wisconsin deserves a member of Congress that tells the truth not only about his own record, but the incredibly difficult time so many families, farms, and working people are going through right now,” Cooke said in a statement. “We need leaders who are rooted in reality.”
The Cooke campaign indicated it will continue monitoring Van Orden's social media channels and communications, reserving the right to pursue further legal remedies should the defamatory conduct persist ahead of Election Day.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
