On a recent evening that would soon ignite a national debate, One America News (OAN) aired a segment that began as a routine discussion about military recruitment but quickly spiraled into controversy. The cable network, known for its strong MAGA orientation, found itself at the center of a media firestorm after it broadcast images of female soldiers that were later revealed to be artificially generated by Elon Musk’s Grok AI. The episode, hosted by Matt Gaetz and featuring Department of Defense spokesperson Kingsley Wilson, has raised fresh concerns about media accuracy, the ethics of AI-generated content, and the credibility of military recruitment claims.
The issue first surfaced during the August 11, 2025, episode of OAN. As Kingsley Wilson discussed the Department of Defense’s efforts to boost female enlistment, viewers were shown a series of striking images depicting women in combat uniforms. Wilson enthusiastically reported, “Under the previous administration we had about 16,000 female enlistees last year; now their number has surpassed 24,000. This is a testament to the leadership of Defense Secretary Hegseth and President Trump.” According to CNN, these figures were later confirmed by the Pentagon to Fox News, though the Pentagon did not officially provide detailed data on the recruitment of female personnel. The Army had also reported in June that it had already filled 61,000 posts toward its recruitment target for 2025, but did not specify the precise share of female recruits.
What initially appeared to be a celebratory moment soon took a sharp turn. Observant viewers noticed that the images of women soldiers displayed on-screen bore visible watermarks from Grok AI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence platform. As reported by International Business Times, the presence of these watermarks immediately raised doubts about the authenticity of the images. Questions began circulating online: Did the Pentagon provide these photos to OAN? Were the recruitment claims being bolstered by fabricated visuals?
The Pentagon quickly moved to distance itself from the controversy. A Department of Defense official stated unequivocally that the department had not created or distributed the images in question. However, confusion only deepened when the Pentagon’s Rapid Response X account posted an online video excerpt of the OAN segment, focusing on the recruitment claims but including the AI-generated photos. This move left many wondering about the Department’s stance on the matter, as the line between official endorsement and media amplification blurred.
Amid mounting scrutiny, Matt Gaetz addressed the situation the following day. “We made a mistake,” Gaetz acknowledged. “We used AI-generated images of female service members as part of our B-roll package, and we should not have done so. The Department of Defense did not provide us with these images; Grok did. And going forward we will act with a more prudent approach.” He further promised, “We’ll use better judgment going forward.” The apology, while direct, did little to quell broader concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in news reporting—especially on topics as sensitive as military personnel and national defense.
OAN, launched in 2013, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. During the Trump administration, it gained notoriety for promoting conspiracy theories, including claims of widespread election fraud in 2020. The channel’s editorial slant led to several high-profile defamation lawsuits, most notably from Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems. Both companies alleged that OAN’s coverage fueled dangerous myths to boost ratings and revenue. While some of these lawsuits have been settled, others remain unresolved. The channel’s fortunes took a hit in 2022 when DirecTV dropped OAN from its lineup, resulting in a significant decline in viewership and revenue. Yet, in 2025, OAN experienced a resurgence of sorts after Kari Lake—Trump’s pick to lead Voice of America—announced that OAN would provide news-feed services to VOA and other U.S.-funded broadcasters.
The recent AI image scandal has reignited debate about the responsibilities of media organizations in verifying the authenticity of their content. As highlighted by CNN, the exposure of AI-generated imagery in defense reporting underscores the need for rigorous source verification and ethical standards. In an era when artificial intelligence can create lifelike visuals at the click of a button, the risk of misleading the public—intentionally or otherwise—has never been higher. This is especially true for coverage that shapes public perceptions of the military, a domain where accuracy and trust are paramount.
The controversy has also cast a spotlight on the military’s own recruitment efforts and the data used to measure progress. While Wilson’s claim of a jump from 16,000 to 24,000 female enlistees is consistent with figures confirmed to Fox News, the Pentagon has not released detailed breakdowns of female recruitment. The Army’s report of filling 61,000 posts toward its 2025 target suggests that recruitment goals are being met, but the lack of transparency regarding gender-specific data has fueled skepticism. According to International Business Times, some critics have questioned whether the use of AI-generated images was an attempt to exaggerate the success of female recruitment or simply a careless production choice.
Adding another layer of complexity, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—who has previously voiced opposition to women in combat roles—did not respond to questions about the incident. Despite his silence, his department has continued to emphasize that overall recruitment targets are being met ahead of schedule. This disconnect between public messaging and internal policy debates has left many observers wondering about the true state of gender integration in the armed forces.
The OAN incident is not an isolated case in the broader landscape of AI and media. As reported by Mezha, recent weeks have seen a flurry of controversies involving artificial intelligence, from xAI’s launch of the Baby Grok children’s app to revelations about Meta’s internal AI chatbot rules. Each episode highlights the growing pains of integrating AI into public communications—and the urgent need for clearer guidelines and accountability.
For now, the dust has yet to settle. OAN’s use of AI-generated images has sparked vital conversations about the future of journalism, the ethics of AI, and the standards by which we judge the credibility of both media and government institutions. As artificial intelligence continues to blur the line between reality and fabrication, the onus falls on news organizations, public officials, and viewers alike to demand transparency and uphold the integrity of the information we consume.
The story serves as a cautionary tale—one that reminds us that in the race to break news and shape narratives, accuracy and accountability must always come first.
