AI-generated deepfake of Macri triggers legal action during Argentine electoral silence
A deepfake video purporting to show former Argentine president Mauricio Macri endorsing a rival candidate was spread on social media during the electoral silence period before Buenos Aires legislative elections. The opposing alliance filed a legal complaint seeking immediate removal of the content and identification of those responsible.
What happened
Less than 24 hours before Buenos Aires legislative elections, a deepfake video created with artificial intelligence was widely distributed simulating former president Mauricio Macri withdrawing candidacy and endorsing Manuel Adorni of La Libertad Avanza.
The video was spread by libertarian digital activists on X (formerly Twitter), including accounts @GordoDan_, @TommyShelby_30, @TalibanMilei and @ElTrumpista, during Argentina's electoral silence period (veda electoral) when political campaigning is prohibited.
Reported impact
Buenos Aires Primero, the opposing alliance, filed a formal complaint to the Buenos Aires Electoral Court stating the manipulated material violates the National Electoral Code and threatens the integrity of the democratic process, potentially generating confusion among voters in the final hours before voting.
Index analysis
The complaint, filed under number J-01-00078728-7/2025, cites twelve X accounts as direct evidence of the coordinated distribution of the deepfake content and requests immediate content removal, preservation of digital evidence, and raids to identify those responsible.
Governance controls
The Electoral Court was requested to issue an official statement clarifying that no candidacy was withdrawn, and La Libertad Avanza was asked not to validate or benefit from the manipulated content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.