Creating and sharing deceptive AI-generated media is now a crime in New Jersey
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday making the creation and dissemination of so-called deceptive deepfake media a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, and establishing a basis for lawsuits against perpetrators.
New Jersey joins a growing list of states enacting measures taking aim at media created using generative AI. At least 20 states have passed similar legislation that targets such media involving elections.
As of last year, governors in more than a dozen states had signed laws cracking down on digitally created or altered child sexual abuse imagery, according to a review by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
New Jersey's law stems in part from the story of Westfield High School student Francesca Mani, who stood alongside the governor as he signed the bill this week. Mani said she became the victim of a deepfake video two years ago and was told that the only punishment for the person who created it was a short suspension because there were no laws against such media.
'Doing nothing is no longer an option,' said Mani, who pushed for the legislation and was recognized by Time last year as an anti-deepfake activist.
The measure defines a deepfake as any video or audio recording or image that appears to a reasonable person to realistically depict someone doing something they did not actually do.
In addition to prison time upon conviction, the law establishes civil penalties that would permit victims to pursue lawsuits.
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Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Donald Trump demands Beyonce is ‘prosecuted' for supporting Kamala Harris
Donald Trump has bizarrely called for Beyonce to be prosecuted – over disputed claims regarding endorsements. Months after he claimed victory in the 2024 election, the President is clearly still smarting over the string of names that stepped up to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. In fact, months after theories arose on social media that Queen Bey was paid $10million for her appearance at a rally in Houston, the 79-year-old alleged that she broke the law by taking a multi-million-dollar pay cheque. Taking to Truth Social over the weekend, he fumed: 'I'm looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats after the presidential election and the fact that they admit to paying, probably illegally, $11million to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!).' The former TV star also called out alleged endorsements to Oprah Winfrey and activist Al Sharpton 'for doing absolutely nothing'. 'These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records,' he continued. 'YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. 'Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! 'Kamala and all of those that received endorsement money BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter.' This isn't the first time that Trump has mentioned the sum, but he did not shed further light on where the number came from. In a radio interview with Mark Levin from February, he simply said: 'Somebody just showed me something. They gave her $11million.' However, CNN reports that there is nothing to suggest that the Texas Hold 'Em singer has ever received a sum of $11m related to Harris' campaign. It is unclear how the figure was calculated, and the White House has not yet addressed the lack of proof behind Trump's claims. Beyonce sent fans into a spin when she appeared on stage at a campaign event in Houston shortly before the polls closed, alongside Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland. 'I'm not here as a celebrity, I'm not here as a politician, I'm here as a mother,' she told the crowd. 'A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we're not divided. 'Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what's possible with no ceilings, no limitations. We must vote, and we need you.' According to CNN, spending records for the campaign do show a payment of $165,000 to Beyonce's production company, which was listed as a 'campaign event production' expense. This comes after a spokesperson for the campaign previously told Deadline that they were required by law to cover costs related to a celebrity endorser's appearance, but would not pay for the stars themselves. Senior advisor and spokesperson Adrienne Elrod insisted: 'We do not pay. We have never paid any artist and performer. We have never paid a fee to that person. 'There are laws that have to be followed that we have followed religiously on this campaign.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Campaigns are required to cover 'any ancillary costs' for a celebrity appearance, which could range from travel expenses to staging, food and drink. Although Bey has never addressed Trump's claims directly, her spokesperson branded allegations that she was paid $10m for the appearance 'beyond ridiculous'. Tina Knowles was also unhappy about the speculation, and took to Instagram to share that a since-removed post regarding the claims had been 'flagged as fake news'. 'It's called False Information,' she wrote. 'Sadly other platforms with a lack of integrity still have it up. The lie is that Beyonce was paid 10 million dollars to speak at a rally in Houston for Vice President Kamala Harris. 'When In Fact: Beyonce did not receive a penny for speaking at a Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harrris's Rally in Houston. In fact she actually paid for her own flights for her and her team, and total Glam. 'They are not only lying and disrespecting Beyonce's name but they are trying to further discredit the power of our vice president! When does the lies and rumors stop? [sic].' Oprah was also forced to deny that she was paid to support Harris after it was claimed that she was paid $1m – a fee that actually went to her Harpo production company. More Trending In a comment under an Instagram post by the Shade Room, she said: 'Usually I am reluctant to respond to rumors in general, but these days I realize that if you don't stop a lie, it gets bigger. I was not paid a dime. My time and energy was my way of supporting the campaign. 'For the live streaming event in September, my production company Harpo was asked to bring in set design, lights, cameras, crew, producers and every other item necessary (including the benches and the chairs we sat on) to put on a live production. 'I did not take any personal fee. However, the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were. End of story.' Metro has contacted reps for the White House and Beyonce for a comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Awkward' Keir Starmer tried to rekindle 'bromance' with Donald Trump during visit MORE: Fantastic Four beats Superman with $218,000,000 box office win MORE: Trump says Gaza children 'look very hungry' after Israel denies any starvation
The Herald Scotland
17 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Governor races set to be major referendums on Trump vs. Dems
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Whether that's absorbing the fallout of the "one, big beautiful bill" and its changes to Medicaid or other assistance programs, resisting or assisting the Trump administration's expanding immigration crackdown that has seen tense, sometimes violent clashes in the streets or dealing with the massive federal worker layoffs, here are the governor races worth watching - and why. Trump set to be 'major factor' in early Virginia, N.J. races this fall Both parties are hoping to flip the governor's mansion in the odd-year races in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, which are leaning slightly in Democrats' favor, according to Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report, which forecast elections. In Virginia, where Republican incumbent Glenn Youngkin is term-limited, reports underscore the GOP is a bit nervous about Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears given her anemic fundraising hauls and internal campaign combustion that one conservative talk radio host described as a "clown car." A July 16 Virginia Commonwealth University poll showed Earle-Sears trailing the Democratic nominee, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, by a 12-point margin among registered voters. That is giving Democrats a confidence boost as they plan to focus on affordability and economic issues, but particularly the impact of the Trump administration's cuts to the federal workforce. Virginia is home to about 152,300 federal workers. Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy is also term-limited in New Jersey, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli looks to put his past Trump criticisms in the rearview and bulldoze his right-leaning populist over Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Ciatterelli, who the president has endorsed, came within 3 percentage points of winning the governorship in 2021 when he kept Trump at arm's length. This time around his firebrand style is something GOP strategists are confident can keep Democrats on defense in a blue state. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for bringing America back and delivering BIG results!!! ????????@GOPGovs are grateful to be working by your side to undo the disaster of the past 4 years and usher in AMERICA'S GOLDEN AGE!!! — The RGA (@GOPGovs) February 21, 2025 A Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released July 2 showed their is high enthusiasm for both candidates, but that at the moment Sherrill holds the advantage with 51% of voters saying they cast their ballot for her compared to 31% saying the same for Ciattarelli. Other surveys have the election closer, but what's telling in the Rutgers poll is how large Trump shadow looms with 52% of voters saying the president is a "major factor" in their decisions for governor versus 30% who say he isn't a factor at all. Swing states governors race a test of Trump policies, Dems messaging Most of next year's gubernatorial races will be centered on the six swing states, of which four are currently controlled by Democrats and two by Republicans. Trump won all of them in the 2024 presidential race, and he is expected to play a significant role whether as an asset or liability for GOP contenders. "I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we complete the mission of saving America," he told the Republican Governors Association in February. "We've made a lot of progress... we've had a lot of fun doing it, too" the president added. "We just rip down whatever (Democrats have) done." Political forecasters give Democrats and Republicans a relatively even chance at prevailing in five of the six battleground gubernatorial races. Only in Pennsylvania, where incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, a 2028 hopeful, is expected to announce his reelection bid soon do Democrats hold an expected edge. Incumbents are expected to face stiff challenges in Arizona and Nevada, and the open races in Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia are still taking shape as different candidates emerge. After weeks of public debate, largely about his age, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers bowed out of seeking a third term in next year's gubernatorial race, leaving a critical seat open in a swing state Democrats would have preferred to be a safer bet. There's now expected to be a crowded primary that will provide a window into how Democrats have settled on crafting a tougher messaging strategy going into the midterm elections. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, for instance, entered Wisconsin governor's race on July 25 by calling Trump a "maniac" in her campaign launch video. "His tariffs are killing our farmers," she said in the video. Supporters emphasize Rodriguez, who is looking to be the state's first woman governor, is running with an emphasis on lowering costs, helping businesses and workers thrive and improving child access to early education. It's official - I'm running for Governor of Wisconsin. Here's what you should know: ?I'm a lifelong Wisconsinite and your Lt. Governor. ?I've been an ER nurse, a public health exec, and a small biz owner. ?I flipped a red seat in 2020 and won statewide in 2022. ?I'm ready to... — Sara Rodriguez (@saraforwi) July 25, 2025 "(Democrats) should still have a decent chance to hold it in context of 2026, but incumbency is still valuable in (governor) races, so there's added variability now," Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said in a July 24 post on X. The Democratic brand is likely to see its biggest test in Arizona. No current governor is considered more vulnerable than Democrat Katie Hobbs, who many believe will see a tough reelection bid after a razor-thin victory against Republican Kari Lake in 2022. Unlike other Democratic governors, Hobbs, a former social worker and secretary of state, has kept with her low-profile approach this year which has aggravated the political left on certain issues, such as standing up against Trump on immigration. A breakdown on the left could give the GOP an opening in the Grand Canyon State, if they can minimize the damage from next year's Republican primary that is expected to be contentious featuring two Trump-backed two contenders in Rep. Andy Biggs, a populist-minded member of the House Freedom Caucus, and developer Karrin Taylor Robson, who saw former Trump advisors leave her campaign earlier this year. Democrats are also hoping that diving into unpopular parts of Trump's mega-bill can win back Nevada where Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo had an upset win in 2022. When the Republican Governors Association, for example, showcased almost two-dozen governors were offering "strong support" for the mega-bill, Lombardo, a former sheriff, didn't sign the letter. Shake up from the Trump administration's signature legislative achievement means hundreds of thousands will be tossed off Medicaid and food assistance programs. That will give Republicans a difficult balancing act of selling the president's wins, such as extending tax breaks to tipped workers, while absorbing Democratic attacks. Republicans will also have to play defense in Georgia, where the immensely popular incumbent Brian Kemp is term limited. He comfortably defeated Democrat Stacy Abrams in back-to-back contests. But the Peach State has a purple hue and if the GOP picks a lightning rod nominee, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a MAGA darling who has flirted with the idea, the election could become a national focal point. At least four other Democrats have signed up, including former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who worked in the Biden administration but many are still speculating if Abrams will take a third bite. That tension underscores how Democrats have their own problems as many remain skittish about their party's health due to an emerging left-leaning populism that appears to be taking hold amid ongoing frustrations with the party establishment. That is on full display in the Michigan governor's race, where popular incumbent Gretchen Whitmer is term limited, and Democrats are expected to have a heated primary. The beginning narrative came from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who made headlines when he decided to ditch the Democratic Party and run as an independent for governor further underscoring the party's woes. His campaign announced on July 25 an impressive $3.2 million fundraising haul in the past six months, which almost matches the $3.5 million raised by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, who is considered the big dog in the Democratic primary. "We're feeling the momentum," Duggan said in a statement. Don't forget outlier contests and Harris' possible return in California One feature of the 2026 gubernatorial races could be the return of Kamala Harris to the national stage, as the former vice president continues to contemplate a run for California governor. Doing so would put Harris right back in the fight and a major figure in the resistance movement against Trump, particularly on immigration. The former VP hasn't announced, but a University of California, Irvine released this month shows 41% of voters in the Golden State would choose her over a generic Republican. There are already big names, including former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but the bombshell everyone is bracing for is Harris' return bid whether for California governor or a third run at U.S. president. "Things are hard right now," she said in a July 4 post on X. "They are probably going to get worse before they get better. But I love our country -- and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation." There's a similar compelling narrative in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a probably 2028 contender, is term-limited but might be gearing up for proxy intra-party spat with Trump. A July 24 survey by the University of North Florida shows Casey DeSantis holding a slight edge over Rep. Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by the president. Other polls, however, have given Donalds a better lead over Casey DeSantis, who has remained cryptic about running, in such a hypothetical matchup. Democratic and Republican operatives with knowledge of the larger strategies going into next year's races for governor tell USA TODAY they believe there are chances for picks outside the swing states, too. For Republicans the easiest chance for a flip in their eyes looks to be Kansas, where incumbent Laura Kelly, who is term-limited, is one of the last red state Democrats in the country. Forecasters rate that contest as leaning for the GOP and at least eight contenders, including former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer. Conservative operatives also grin when asked about New York, which is at the moment considered a "likely" Democratic hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul. But Republicans are holding out hope that Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., a Trump confidant, will join the fray and make that contest more competitive. "I will make a final decision and announcement after this year's November election which we are all focused on," Stefanik said in a July 23 statement after Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., announced he will seek re-election instead of running for governor. Outside of Virginia, there is a small chatter of hope among Democrats when broached about flipping an open seat in Iowa after GOP incumbent Kim Reynolds passed on another term earlier this year. State Auditor Rob Sand, the only statewide Democratic official, has entered the race. The prediction there doesn't look good as multiple Republicans have signaled they're running in the Hawkeye State, which is rated as either "leaning" or "likely" for the GOP to keep.
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
We're (finally) making moves: Australia just achieved its best gender equality ranking in history
Australia still has a long road ahead when it comes to gender equality – but we're all about celebrating the small wins. This year, we've climbed from 24th to 13th place in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. It's our highest-ever ranking out of 148 countries, and proof that we're heading in the right direction. Now in its 19th edition, the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index tracks countries against four key benchmarks: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Australia's 13th-place ranking marks our best performance since the report launched in 2006, and is a huge leap from our record-low 50th place in 2021. Australia's rise in the rankings was largely driven by improvements in political empowerment, where we placed 19th overall – including 30th for the percentage of women in parliament and eighth for women in ministerial roles. We also came 32nd in economic participation and opportunity, with standout results in labour-force participation (21st) and the proportion of professional and technical workers (joint first), where the gender gap was just 9.78 per cent. When it comes to education, Australia scored top marks – ranking joint first in literacy, primary education and university enrolment. However, our overall ranking of 79th in this category was dragged down by lower enrolment rates in secondary education. We also have progress to make in the health and survival category, with Australia slipping from 88th to 96th, driven by women facing a lower healthy life expectancy. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said, 'Whether it is investing in women's wages and economic opportunities, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare, or investing in policies to address women's safety and tackling gender-based violence, our government is backing up words with action…However, we know there is always more work to do, and this report will help to inform our work on gender equality over the next three years.' While not reflected in this year's report, the May election saw the first majority-women cabinet in Australian history and the highest proportion of women in government, including 56 per cent of Labor reps. Iceland retained its top spot on the Global Gender Gap Index for the 16th year running, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. And while the global gender gap has narrowed to 68.8 per cent, the report estimates it will still take around 123 years to reach full equality. These are the 15 best countries for gender equality Iceland Finland Norway United Kingdom New Zealand Sweden Republic of Moldova Namibia Germany Ireland Estonia Spain Australia Denmark Barbados Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 🏝️ Fun fact: Australia has 8,222 islands — and you probably never knew they existed ✈️ Australia has one of the most powerful passports in the entire world for 2025 🥳
