FACT CHECK: Zach Lahn Uses AI Images in New Attack Ad on Rob Sand

DES MOINES, IA – Today, Zach Lahn’s campaign released a new ad filled with AI images of and false claims about Rob Sand. 

“Zach Lahn has to use AI to try to trick Iowans into believing Rob Sand is someone he’s not. It won’t work – Iowans know and trust Rob Sand from his seven years as Iowa’s chief public corruption prosecutor, two terms as a State Auditor, and seeing him every year in their communities after 900 public town halls,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Emma O’Brien. “Meanwhile, Iowans don’t know or trust Zach Lahn because he’s a liar who lives in Kansas. The choice is clear for Iowans, and in 11 days they will elect Rob Sand as their next governor.” 

Please see below for a fact check on these images and claims: 

False claim: Lahn’s ad claims that Rob was “nude” during a photoshoot. That is false – both models were clothed. 

False image: Lahn’s ad depicts Rob in a mask and face shield and falsely claims the photo is a “Real Photo of Rob Sand.” That image is AI-generated, as AFP Fact Check reported in September. Below is the original image of Rob.

False Image: Lahn’s ad depicts Rob Sand in a shirt that says “Bluer. Redder. Extremely Liberal.” This is an AI-generated image. Rob Sand wears a shirt that says “Bluer. Redder. Truer. Better.” Below is the original image of Rob. 

False Claim: Lahn’s ad makes false generalizations about Rob’s position on gun control. Rob Sand is a proud hunter, gun owner, and Second Amendment supporter. He supports commonsense gun safety measures, including blocking those with mental illnesses from accessing firearms. 

False Claim: Lahn’s ad falsely claims that Rob has “opposed tax cuts.” This has been previously debunked. 

False Claim: Lahn’s ad falsely claims that Rob “supported the Green New Deal.” Rob Sand has never supported the Green New Deal.

False Claim: Lahn’s ad falsely claims Rob Sand “[opposes] deporting” illegal immigrants. This is false. Rob has repeatedly made his position on immigration clear. He supports comprehensive immigration reform, thinks both parties failed on the border, supports deporting criminals, and believes anyone here illegally should at least be fined. 

False Claim: Lahn’s ad falsely claims Rob supports transgender books in elementary schools. This is false. Rob wants all culture wars to come to an end and to focus on the issues that matter to Iowans. 

The Lahn campaign’s false ads have been the subject of several fact checks, including KCCI, which claimed that Lahn’s ad “omits context” and selectively edited their footage in a misleading way. KCRG has also released fact checks claiming Lahn’s ad “[lack] details,” and that the numbers they provided “[don’t] add up.” PolitiFact ran a piece rating Lahn’s claims that Rob wants to raise taxes by $7,500 “false.”