SACRAMENTO, CA — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he will sign a bill banning political images generated by artificial intelligence after he was duped into thinking an online photo of Donald Trump depicted as a half-man/half-fish was real.

"I was humiliated," fumed Newsom, still staring at the mer-man version of Trump on his phone. "It just looked so real, Trump with his glorious fish tail living in the sea. I sent it to my sister, only to learn I had been duped! I am therefore announcing a total ban on A.I. generated images on social media, so no one will ever have to suffer the shame I have felt."

Newsom's announcement shocked many in the social media community, who say that using artificial intelligence to generate memes is protected speech. Newsom brushed off the concerns after a photo he sent to his friend of Elon Musk riding a dragon in outer space also turned out to be a fake.

"We must obliterate these deep fakes. Never again do I want to see Trump riding an eagle or JD Vance fighting Brad Pitt in Fight Club. It's just too easy to assume these are real, and people are getting duped! Real people, hardworking people, Governor people!"

As of publishing time, Newsom had also announced he's banning any headline on social media that starts with "BREAKING!", a move supported by members of both political parties.

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