Rep. John McGuire shares fake AI image of rescued pilot in newsletter

The 5th District representative is the latest Republican politician to share the readily-debunked picture.

By Mike Barber April 9, 2026 9:19 am

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Rep. John McGuire, a Republican who represents Virginia’s 5th District, and a former Navy SEAL, became the latest politician to share an AI image purporting to be the American pilot rescued from Iran. ... As part of an email newsletter sent out Wednesday morning, paid for and authorized by McGuire For Virginia, McGuire – who is seeking re-election this year – included the image of a bloodied but smiling American soldier holding an American flag on his lap, surrounded by four other soldiers, all aboard a helicopter.

A McGuire spokesperson acknowledged to Cville Right Now that the image is “not real,” but offered no further comment. ... The Department of War, previously the Department of Defense, did not reply to a request for comment or an actual photo of the rescued airman.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was the most prominent Republican to be publicly duped by the AI fake, sharing the image on X on Sunday with the message, “This is so awesome.” Texas attorney general Ken Paxton and New York Congressman Mike Lawler also shared the image. All three have since deleted those posts.

But Wednesday, three days after those three had been criticized for sharing the fake image, McGuire, a first-term Congressman who spent a decade in the Navy with the SEALs, still included it in the newsletter. Under a red headline that said, “‘We got him. An Easter miracle,'” McGuire shared the image and then a message: To my Navy SEAL brothers, PJs, Army Special Forces, Night Stalkers, and Cyber teams, as well as every individual involved: congratulations on a display of unparalleled teamwork and excellence.”

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Mike Barber
Mike Barber is the editor-in-chief at Cville Right Now. Reach him by email at mbarber@cvillerightnow.com.