San Diego, CA – Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, now a host on One America News (OAN), issued an on-air apology on August 14, after his show broadcast AI-generated images of women soldiers during a segment touting increased female military recruitment.
The incident, which sparked backlash for misleading viewers, has raised questions about media credibility and the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, especially at a network already facing scrutiny for its MAGA-aligned content.
Gaetz’s apology follows a correction from OAN, which admitted the images violated company policies, amid a broader wave of controversies surrounding the Trump administration.
Misleading Broadcast From OAN Host –Matt Gaetz
During the August 13, episode of The Matt Gaetz Show on OAN, Defense Department spokesperson Kingsley Wilson praised a reported surge in female military recruits, stating, “Under the previous administration, we had about 16,000 female recruits last year; now we’ve got upwards of 24,000.”
As she spoke, images of women in military fatigues appeared on screen, seemingly illustrating the success. However, viewers quickly noticed watermarks indicating the images were generated by Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, rather than depicting real soldiers.
Wilson’s claim, attributing the recruitment boost to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump, was overshadowed by the revelation. The Pentagon clarified to CNN that it did not provide the images, and an OAN spokesperson admitted they violated internal policies.
“An on-air correction has been put in place,” the spokesperson said, adding that management took steps to prevent future missteps.
Gaetz’s Apology and Justification
On Thursday’s broadcast, Gaetz addressed the controversy, saying, “We’re generally quite cautious about showing the faces of actual military members on air because sometimes America’s enemies use facial recognition software in very devious ways.”
He acknowledged the error, stating, “We used AI-generated images of female service members as part of our B-roll package, and we shouldn’t have. The DOD didn’t give us these images; Grok did. And we’ll use better judgment going forward.”
Gaetz’s apology, while contrite, drew mixed reactions. Some on X praised the accountability, with one user posting, “Good on Gaetz for owning the mistake.” Others were skeptical, with a user writing, “OAN using fake images to push a narrative? Shocker.”
The incident adds to OAN’s troubled history, including defamation lawsuits over 2020 election claims and a recent viewership decline after being dropped by major cable providers.
Why It Matters
The AI image blunder comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration, from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Epstein files controversy to protests against Trump’s federal policing executive order.
Gaetz, who joined OAN in December 2024 after withdrawing from Trump’s attorney general nomination due to renewed sexual misconduct allegations, has faced bipartisan mockery for his career pivot. His show, launched to capitalize on his MAGA credentials, aims to cover stories “buried by the mainstream media,” but this incident has fueled criticism of OAN’s credibility.
The use of Grok, already under fire for a July 2025 antisemitic rant that cost xAI a major government contract, further complicates the narrative. The Pentagon’s Rapid Response X account amplified the OAN segment, raising questions about vetting standards, though it later clarified the images were not DOD-provided.
The controversy aligns with other AI-related media missteps, such as Jim Acosta’s criticized interview with an AI-generated Parkland shooting victim and Chris Cuomo’s fall for a deepfake of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
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What’s Next?
The incident shows the challenges of integrating AI into journalism, particularly at outlets like OAN, which has struggled with credibility due to its embrace of conspiracy theories. As the 2026 midterms loom, the GOP faces pressure to maintain voter trust amid controversies like tariff skepticism and Epstein file disputes. Democrats, energized by events like Barack Obama’s fundraising, may seize on OAN’s misstep to highlight broader issues of misinformation.
For Gaetz and OAN, the apology may mitigate immediate backlash, but the incident risks further eroding trust in a network already on shaky ground. With Kari Lake’s reported deal to air OAN content on Voice of America, the network’s visibility may grow, but so will scrutiny of its practices.
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