Politics
Blackburn defends AI campaign video featuring Tennessee Republicans dancing to Kendrick Lamar
The Tennessee senator said the clip was made by a county commissioner and called it “a funsie” as critics mocked its use of AI. The video, posted ahead of the state’s first day of early voting, features several Republican candidates dancing to Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn defended an AI-generated campaign video featuring her and several Tennessee Republicans dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” after the clip drew criticism online ahead of the state’s early voting period.
Blackburn, a Republican running for governor, posted the 12-second video on X on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with the caption “Tomorrow. Ready to roll.” Early voting began Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The video shows Blackburn lip-syncing to the 2024 track, with Rep. Tim Burchett, Sen. Bill Hagerty, state Sen. Brent Taylor and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs appearing as backup dancers. Jacobs appears in the masked Kane wrestling costume associated with his former WWE persona.
Speaking to WZTV on Wednesday, Blackburn said a county commissioner created the video. She said Burchett reposted it before her campaign did, describing the clip as “a funsie” and urging people to vote.
Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerri Green criticized the video, saying it illustrated why she had asked supporters not to use AI to promote her campaign. Former Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger also mocked the post, writing that Blackburn thought AI would make her look cool. The Tennessee Holler called the video embarrassing and suggested the Republicans had previously criticized Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance.
Lamar performed “Not Like Us” during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The song, a diss track aimed at Drake, drew criticism from some conservative commentators at the time. Drake is pursuing an appeal in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the track’s release and promotion; oral arguments are scheduled for Dec. 4.
The video’s release puts AI-generated campaign content in view as Tennessee voters begin casting ballots. Green’s comments also reflect a broader concern among campaigns about the use of AI in political messaging and how such material may shape voters’ impressions.