Russian disinformation campaign targets US midterms with celebrity deepfakes

A Russian disinformation operation, reportedly linked to a Kremlin campaign known as Matryoshka, has launched a series of sophisticated deepfake videos targeting the upcoming US midterm elections. The operation utilizes artificial intelligence and voice-cloning technology to depict prominent Hollywood celebrities making inflammatory statements against the Democratic Party.

The deceptive content, which has circulated on social media using hashtags like “#AllDemocratsAreCriminals”, often features fabricated audio layered over legitimate footage. Some videos were created by manipulating recordings from the service Cameo, while others used footage from commercial campaigns. To increase perceived legitimacy, the clips have been branded with the CNN logo.

Specific targets of the manipulation include Alyson Hannigan, Emma Caulfield, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ed Begley Jr, and Eric Roberts. The fabricated videos depict these actors making extreme claims, such as accusing Democrats of endangering children or labeling President Volodymyr Zelensky and Democratic officials as “Nazis”. Affected actors have publicly denounced the videos as false and violations of their likeness.