An apparent AI-generated campaign advertisement from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick uses University of Texas, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University football imagery to criticize Democratic candidates ahead of the November elections.
The 50-second video was posted to X on Sept. 5 and identifies Patrick’s campaign as its sponsor. It had accumulated more than 907,000 views as of Friday. The post’s caption criticized Vikki Goodwin and other Democratic candidates, whom the ad portrays at simulated college football settings.
Goodwin, Patrick’s Democratic opponent for lieutenant governor, is shown writing proposals for taxes on brisket and Longhorn merchandise during a depiction of a UT game. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, is shown asking Texas Tech’s Masked Rider and fans displaying the “Guns Up” gesture for gun permits.
James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, is depicted seated among standing fans at an Aggies game while referring to the school’s 12th Man tradition as gendered.
University officials did not respond to repeated questions from the Texas Tribune about whether Patrick had permission to use the schools’ names, symbols and trademarks, whether university personnel or resources were involved, or whether they would seek removal of the video. Patrick’s campaign also did not answer questions about whether it requested authorization.
The schools have restrictions on outside use of their branding. Texas A&M bars use of its symbols, uniforms, landmarks and athletic identity to support political candidates, and its trademark registration includes “12th Man.” Texas Tech requires written approval for use of its marks in connection with a candidate or policy issue; its protected marks include “Guns Up,” the Double T and Masked Rider designs.
UT prohibits unlicensed advertisers from using marks such as the Longhorn silhouette and Hook ’em hand sign.
