Queens Council Hopeful Continues Voter Misinformation Campaign

In a troubling case of campaign misinformation, City Council candidate Jonathan Rinaldi has come under fire for allegedly using artificial intelligence to fabricate endorsements from political figures who have not supported his candidacy.

The controversy centers around manipulated text message exchanges that Rinaldi allegedly shared on social media, falsely suggesting he had received endorsements from individuals who had not backed him. In one such exchange, the fabricated texts show a conversation between Rinaldi supporter David Wilkinson and someone purporting to be another political figure identified as “Holden.”

In the doctored conversation, Wilkinson asks if “Holden” endorsed Rinaldi, to which the fake account responds, “Yes.” When Wilkinson notes that “they are saying you didn’t,” the fabricated response claims Rinaldi is “a common sense candidate with common sense endorsements.”

The real Holden, however, has strongly condemned these actions. “Jonathan Rinaldi’s behavior is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable,” Holden told the Eagle in a statement. “Using AI to fabricate endorsements and edit a fake text to mislead voters shows he’s not fit for public office.”

Despite mounting evidence, Rinaldi has denied personal responsibility for creating the posts. “I personally did not make any of them and now you are all scared because I’m going to win,” he claimed in text messages last week. He further asserted, “I am not misleading anyone, I’m telling the truth that they all know and believe.”

The incident highlights growing concerns about AI’s potential for electoral manipulation, particularly as the technology becomes more sophisticated and accessible to political campaigns at all levels. Election lawyer Sarah Steiner noted that this case exemplifies the dangers of AI misuse in politics.

“This sort of use of AI is a perfect example of its dangers,” Steiner said. “AI has the potential to mislead people. In addition, history a few years or decades from now may not be able to be clear on what really happened, and what was created.”

While the posts have caused significant controversy, it remains unclear whether Rinaldi will face any formal consequences. Steiner explained that while there appear to be Campaign Finance Board rules that this conduct may violate, enforcement would likely require affected individuals to file formal complaints.

Complicating matters is Rinaldi’s failure to qualify for public matching funds with the Campaign Finance Board. His application has been hampered by missing documentation and discrepancies in submitted materials. This situation may inadvertently shield him from stricter scrutiny.

“There is extra scrutiny, even of conduct, when public funds are involved,” Steiner explained. “But not much to do at the moment unless he had qualified.” The city’s Campaign Finance Board has declined to comment on the matter.

When asked if she would consider filing a complaint, one of Rinaldi’s opponents, Schulman, indicated she preferred to focus on her re-election campaign and “engaging with [her] community on the issues that matter most to them.”

Beyond this controversy, Rinaldi’s campaign has struggled to gain momentum. His fundraising efforts have yielded just $100 from a single donation by Flushing lawyer David Bellon, who unsuccessfully ran for a Supreme Court position in Queens last year. The candidate has received no significant endorsements.

Despite his limited reach, Rinaldi’s fabricated posts have successfully misled some social media users, who have congratulated him on endorsements he never actually received.

This is not Rinaldi’s first brush with controversy since entering politics in 2023, when he challenged Councilmember Jim Gennaro. He has been accused of harassing political opponents during campaign events and has developed a reputation as a disruptive presence at local community board meetings. According to one community board leader, his participation in meetings is now a source of concern whenever he registers to speak.

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic communications, this incident underscores the challenges facing election officials and voters alike in maintaining the integrity of political discourse in the digital age.