Newsmax Gets Fooled by AI Video, Broadcasts Entire Segment as If It Was Real

In a major on-air blunder, conservative news network Newsmax aired a segment featuring a completely fabricated AI-generated video, presenting it as legitimate news. The incident highlights the growing threat of deepfake technology and raises questions about media accountability in the age of AI misinformation.

How Newsmax Fell for an AI-Generated Deepfake

The controversy began when Newsmax aired what it claimed was a “leaked video” showing a prominent U.S. politician making inflammatory remarks. The clip spread rapidly on social media before digital forensics experts exposed it as an AI-generated fake.

Despite subtle red flags—unnatural facial movements, slight voice distortions—Newsmax anchors treated the video as authentic, using it to support political commentary. The network only retracted the segment after fact-checkers and rival outlets debunked it.

Why Did This Happen?

Experts point to three key failures:
1. Speed Over Accuracy – The 24-hour news cycle pressures outlets to publish first, verify later.
2. No AI Detection Tools – Most newsrooms lack systems to spot synthetic media.
3. Confirmation Bias – The fake video aligned with Newsmax’s political narrative, bypassing scrutiny.

“News organizations must treat AI content like unverified sources—assume it’s fake until proven real,” says Dr. Priya Menon, MIT digital forensics expert.

The Rising Threat of AI-Powered Misinformation

This isn’t an isolated case:
– AI-generated images of explosions near the Pentagon caused brief stock market panic.
– Deepfake videos in India manipulated election discourse.

Governments are responding:
– The EU’s AI Act requires watermarking synthetic media.
– India’s IT Rules (2023) mandate AI content labels.

Yet enforcement lags as AI tools evolve faster than regulations.

Newsmax’s Response and Criticism

Newsmax blamed “bad-faith actors” but faced backlash for inadequate fact-checking. Media analyst Rajeev Sharma called it “a systemic failure, not just a mistake.”

How to Combat AI Misinformation

For Media Outlets:
– Use detection tools like Reality Defender or Truepic.
– Train staff to spot AI red flags (e.g., odd blinking, audio mismatches).
– Prioritize verification over speed.

For the Public:
– Verify viral content with fact-checkers (Snopes, PolitiFact).
– Be skeptical of emotionally charged footage—AI often exploits outrage.

The Future of Media in the AI Era

As deepfakes improve, distinguishing real from fake becomes harder. While tech giants like Meta and Google develop detection tools, the responsibility falls on both news producers and consumers.

Newsmax’s mistake is a stark warning: In the AI age, trust is media’s most fragile currency.