A federal judge has blocked a California law aimed at restricting artificial intelligence (AI)-generated political content, handing Gov. Gavin Newsom a major legal defeat. The law, which was passed in response to a parody video created by social media figure Chris Kohls, known as “Mr. Reagan,” was intended to prevent AI use in political ads during elections. Kohls challenged the law, claiming it violated his First Amendment rights.
On Wednesday, Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sided with Kohls, issuing an injunction to halt the law’s enforcement. Mendez criticized the law for its overly broad restrictions, stating that it acted more like a “hammer instead of a scalpel.” He argued that it unconstitutionally stifled free speech by limiting parody and humorous content.
Kohls had posted an AI-generated video mocking Vice President Kamala Harris, prompting Newsom to sign the bill. However, the judge’s ruling emphasized that political satire is protected under the First Amendment, and the law went too far in trying to regulate speech.
The lawsuit was also supported by satire site Babylon Bee, whose CEO Seth Dillon argued that the law would require satirists to label their content, ruining the essence of parody. Babylon Bee filed a separate lawsuit against the state, claiming the law unfairly targeted humor and satire.
Judge Mendez did allow for one exception in the law, requiring verbal disclosure of AI use in audio-only content, but the majority of the law was deemed unconstitutional. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications as other states consider similar regulations on AI-generated political content.
For now, the ruling halts California’s enforcement of the law, leaving critics of Newsom’s policy celebrating a victory for free speech.
