Drag Artists Call Out North Carolina Republican for AI-Generated Attack Ad Featuring Their Likeness
The congressional seat, which has been held by Republicans for years, is leaning Democrat.
Drag queens in North Carolina have blasted Republican congressional candidate Jennifer Balkcom’s campaign after it used their likeness in an AI-generated attack ad against Balkcom’s Democratic opponent, Jamie Ager.
The state’s Republican Party posted it on its official X, formerly Twitter, account earlier this month. It was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Campaign, according to LGBTQ Nation, and approved by Balkcom.
The ad features AI images of Ager dancing with the drag queens.
“None of it was real,” Nova, one of the Asheville-based drag performers, told local station WLOS.
She said the scenes depicted in the AI ad didn’t happen.
“I’ve never met the man [Ager] in my life. I’m going to be honest with you: I ain’t never been to a barn dance in my life,” Nova said.
LGBTQ Nation notes that North Carolina has no state laws on the books requiring the disclosure of AI-generated images in ads.
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that in response to the ad, Ager’s campaign manager Grayson Barnette said: “Our opponent is attacking Jamie with 100% fake, AI-generated ads. She can’t win on the truth, so she is using AI to lie.”
Barnette continued, “It’s insulting to the intelligence of voters in western North Carolina and another example of the exact corrupt system he is running against. Jamie got into this race because we can and must do politics better.”
Multiple media outlets have pointed out that Ager never even hosted an event as depicted in the Balkcom ad. The closest event that could have been the inspiration transpired in 2019 when a now-defunct order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence performed at a space at Ager’s family business.
Divinity Holeburn, who also performs as Divine, the Bearded Lady, is also depicted in the ad. Both have said they have issued cease and desist notices.
The second part of the ad is also false. Blue Ridge Pride clarified on Instagram, posting, “While Jamie Ager did apply for sponsorship at the 2026 Pride Festival, his application was denied and the accompanying funds were returned.”
The group said, ““Pride is a sacred space for LGBTQ+ expression, not a platform for political candidates,” while adding, “Unlike these politicians, we do not rely on AI to generate events that did not happen.”
The seat Ager and Balkcom are running for has been a Republican stronghold for years; however, this year’s election is currently leaning Democrat, according to The Cook Political Report.
Democrat Jamie Ager (NC-11) hosted the drag queen barn dance featuring Sister Dominatrix and Sister Helen Holy in his barn with kids. Last month, Ager wrote a check to Blue Ridge Pride whose family-friendly festival featured Divine Hullern and Will Pounder. Jenny Ager talks like you and me on TV, but he’s dancing with they/them.
— NCGOP (@NCGOP) October 22, 2026
