{"id":718833,"date":"2026-04-10T20:00:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/718833\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T20:00:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:00:22","slug":"after-sending-woman-ai-kissing-video-rep-john-waldron-resigned-as-democratic-party-chairman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/718833\/","title":{"rendered":"After sending woman AI kissing video, Rep. John Waldron resigned as Democratic Party chairman"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rep.<\/a>On right: Oklahoma Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa) files to run for reelection in House District 77 on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Tres Savage)
\n Support Journalism<\/a><\/p>\n

Rep. John Waldron confirmed Thursday that he resigned as chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party in December two months after meeting with a potential candidate for office and then using an AI tool to animate their photos into a fictional depiction of him making out with the young woman.<\/p>\n

Waldron\u2019s revelation comes after months of rumor, at least two tense meetings of the House Democratic Caucus and a temporary caucus suspension that is set to end Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was under enormous personal stress. I made a mistake, which I instantly regretted. I\u2019ve accepted every consequence that was asked of me, and I\u2019ve done a lot of personal work. I\u2019m still deeply regretful for making that decision,\u201d Waldron (D-Tulsa<\/a>) said Thursday. \u201cI had a bad day. That\u2019s what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exactly what happened has remained unclear to many House Democrats, some of whom pushed for Waldron, 57, to resign from the Legislature in addition to stepping down as state party chairman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a complaint, and on that basis, I withdrew from the Oklahoma Democratic Party (chairmanship). There was a request for confidentiality, which I have respected,\u201d Waldron said. \u201cThere\u2019s more to the story, and it has to do with larger political forces.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waldron called the situation a \u201cmisunderstanding\u201d and \u201ca foolish mistake on my part.\u201d He claimed he did not mean to send the woman the AI-generated GIF he had made showing the two of them kissing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe short version is, I accepted responsibility, accepted all consequences, and I\u2019m looking forward to moving forward,\u201d Waldron said. \u201cI, of course, apologized, immediately accepted consequences, took measures to become a better human being, and I think I\u2019ve learned a lot from the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last week, Waldron filed for reelection<\/a> in pursuit of a fifth term representing House District 77 in Tulsa, and he drew a challenger for the first time since he was initially elected in 2018: fellow Democrat Kristina Gabriel<\/a>, a public health professional and Cherokee Nation citizen.<\/p>\n

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson said Waldron will not be receiving Democratic Caucus support ahead of the June 16 primary election.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make it very clear that Rep. Waldron was asked multiple times by caucus leadership to step down and not seek reelection,\u201d Munson (D-OKC<\/a>) said in a statement Friday. \u201cHe was told should he seek reelection, he would not receive caucus support. Rep. Waldron has decided, on his own regard, to seek reelection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The situation rocked Oklahoma\u2019s House Democratic Caucus in February, with representatives discussing how past allegations of sexual misconduct involving male caucus members had or had not been handled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take all allegations of misconduct seriously, and I took swift action in contacting and working alongside the victim to hold Rep. Waldron accountable,\u201d Munson said. \u201cVictims deserve privacy, justice and accountability, and every decision made regarding this situation prioritized that. Nothing was done without consulting the person affected by this abhorrent behavior. My goal as a leader, and as a woman, is to continue to hold everyone up to the same standard and stand for all victims\u2019 privacy, dignity and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

NonDoc does not possess the GIF in question or know the identity of the woman who received it from Waldron, but a spokeswoman for Munson said a message was relayed to the woman about this article\u2019s pending publication.<\/p>\n

Waldron\u2019s own confirmation of details combined with descriptions provided by someone who has seen the GIF indicate that an AI tool morphed multiple selfies into a video of Waldron and the woman kissing, replete with smooching and sighing sound effects.<\/p>\n

While Waldron did not resign from House District 77, some of his Democratic colleagues believe he should not be seeking another term.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did encourage Rep. Waldron not to run for reelection,\u201d said Rep. Amanda Clinton (D-Tulsa<\/a>). \u201cI feel like he\u2019s lost the right to represent women.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waldron: \u2018Larger story\u2019 involves prior AI deep-fake
\n\"TulsaOklahoma District 77 Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa) speaks to media Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Sasha Ndisabiye)<\/p>\n

Days before he defeated multi-term incumbent Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairwoman Alicia Andrews last summer at the ODP convention, Waldron was falsely accused of making racially inflammatory statements about Andrews, who is Black. A purported recording of Waldron disparaging Andrews and Black Tulsans was reported by the Black Wall Street Times, but the publication retracted its article<\/a> after realizing it was a deep-fake AI creation.<\/p>\n

Asked Thursday about that situation, Waldron said the matter has been under criminal investigation. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler confirmed that \u201ca referral has been made to law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waldron, a former history teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, suggested the investigation of that situation has caused rumors about his own AI-generated creation to linger this legislative session.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe longer conversation is that the reason the story has been perpetuated and has such legs is that it\u2019s connected to the deep-fake attack on me. And that\u2019s the larger story,\u201d Waldron said. \u201cI did stir up some resistance, some enemies inside the party. And I think there is a much larger story there. I\u2019d like to compose myself and give you that story. And that story may not play out yet for a few more weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

But after messaging early Friday morning to confirm a follow-up interview, Waldron ultimately said he needed \u201cto put off the call\u201d and stick with his original remarks from Thursday.<\/p>\n

Those remarks landed poorly with Erin Brewer, who became chairwoman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party after Waldron\u2019s resignation from that post.<\/p>\n

\u201cRep. John Waldron engaged in unforgivable behavior. As a result, the Oklahoma Democratic Party immediately forced his resignation as chairman,\u201d Brewer said in a statement Friday. \u201cVictims of sexual harassment and assault have our unwavering support. We made a promise to protect the victim\u2019s privacy and have kept our word. Oklahoma Democrats unapologetically stand for respect, equality, and accountability. We firmly uphold these values, regardless of power or position.\u201d<\/p>\n