Defeat Derrick Van Orden

Blog

  • Van Orden Deepfake Videos Target Rebecca Cooke, Skip Wisconsin’s Required AI Disclaimer

    Van Orden Deepfake Videos Target Rebecca Cooke, Skip Wisconsin’s Required AI Disclaimer

    A new Van Orden deepfake controversy is unfolding in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s campaign posted AI-generated videos manipulating footage of Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke to make it look like she said things she never said, and the videos skip the disclaimer Wisconsin law requires for AI-manipulated political content.

    Source: Spectrum News 1, “Van Orden, Cooke and the rise of AI-generated attack videos”, August 19, 2026.

    What the Van Orden Deepfake Videos Show

    The retired Navy SEAL, now running for a third term, used xAI’s “Grok Imagine” tool to build the clips. Wisconsin law is clear on this: any AI-manipulated political video needs a disclaimer on screen reading “This video content generated by AI.” Van Orden’s team skipped it. They credited the AI tool somewhere in the post, sure, but that’s not what the law requires, and they know it.

    Rebecca Cooke Calls Out the Deepfake Tactics

    Cooke, a nonprofit leader and waitress running to unseat him, called it what it is: slop. She said it frustrates voters on both sides and that Congress needs actual guardrails on this technology before it gets worse. Van Orden’s spokesperson responded with a smug line about Cooke needing to “talk about honesty” herself. No denial. No accountability. Just deflection.

    Why the Van Orden Deepfake Story Matters Beyond Wisconsin

    Even Bill Gates weighed in, of all people, saying these videos work because they grab attention, and that’s exactly the danger. AI can spread lies fast. It can also help fight back fast. But only if candidates are willing to tell the truth in the first place.

    Wisconsin is one of 31 states with a law on the books for this. Congress has floated bipartisan bills to rein in political deepfakes nationally. Every single one has stalled, which tells you everything about how seriously Washington takes this.

    The Bottom Line on Van Orden’s Deepfake Attack

    Rebecca Cooke is out here waitressing, running a nonprofit, and still finding time to run a serious campaign, while her opponent’s team is spending its energy building fake videos instead of defending his record. Voters in this district deserve a representative who tells the truth on the merits, not one who needs AI deepfakes to put words in his opponent’s mouth. Cooke is the one running an honest campaign here. That should tell you everything you need to know.

  • Derrick Van Orden Scandals

    Derrick Van Orden Scandals: Why His Outbursts and Poor Judgment Make Him Unfit for Wisconsin’s 3rd District

    As someone who supports practical policies, I watch Derrick Van Orden’s record with concern. I value working families and veterans.

    This is not just about policy differences. It is a troubling pattern of scandals and outbursts. These incidents reveal a lack of temperament for Congress.

    In Wisconsin’s 3rd District, voters value decency. Reliability also matters deeply to us. The 2026 election is approaching quickly.

    Challengers are now highlighting his many vulnerabilities. Many people question if he deserves reelection.

    The Long List of Derrick Van Orden Scandals

    Derrick Van Orden has faced at least six major scandals that highlight his inability to handle pressure maturely:

    1. Exposing female officers: In his 2015 book, Van Orden described a disturbing incident. He showed a male officer’s genitals to two young officers. They did not consent. He called them “cute” and noted their shock. HuffPost reported this passage.
    2. Library confrontation: In 2021, he stormed a Prairie du Chien library. He berated employees over a Pride Month display. He also threatened a 17-year-old page. The Associated Press covered the incident.
    3. January 6 funds: He used $4,000 in campaign money to travel to Washington. He was on Capitol grounds during the violence. He also spread false election claims. The Daily Beast exposed these details.
    4. Yelling at pages: In 2023, he yelled profanities at high-school Senate pages. They were only taking photos in the Rotunda. This prompted a rare bipartisan rebuke. AP News detailed the outburst.
    5. Briefing disruption: Later in 2023, he interrupted a sensitive Israel briefing. He used profanity and insulted the briefers. Rolling Stone reported the disruption.
    6. False assault claim: In 2024, he accused a protester of assault. She was held for 15 hours. Video later confirmed no crime occurred. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel criticized the claim.

    Why Derrick Van Orden’s Temperament and Judgment Fall Short

    These scandals form a pattern of explosive outbursts. He lacks impulse control and makes poor decisions. Yelling at teenagers shows poor leadership.

    Congress demands composure during a crisis. It requires ethical restraint and respect. Van Orden has repeatedly failed this test.

    Wisconsin’s 3rd District needs leaders focused on solutions. Families face challenges with farm policy and care. His behavior alienates moderates and embarrasses Wisconsin.

    Voters deserve better in 2026. We need representatives who show maturity. On temperament alone, Van Orden falls short. Wisconsin deserves more.

  • Defeat Derrick Van Orden: Join Us!

    Are you frustrated that Derrick Van Orden is still in Congress? So are we. We’re building a strategy to help defeat him in November 2026.

    If you are interested, please sign up below.