On Friday, SAG-AFTRA and the White House both issued statements addressing the sexually explicit AI-generated images of Taylor Swift, which had sparked significant backlash online earlier in the week. SAG-AFTRA, the actor's union, expressed their distress, stating that the deepfake images were "upsetting, harmful, and deeply concerning. " These images portrayed Taylor Swift in various sexualized positions while partially dressed in Kansas City Chiefs merchandise, surrounded by Chiefs fans, making an apparent reference to her relationship with Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. The union's statement emphasized the urgency of making the development and dissemination of fake explicit images, particularly without consent, illegal. They stressed the need for society to take action to control these technologies before it is too late. SAG-AFTRA's statement follows their recent deal with the studios, which faced intense negotiation during their 118-day strike. The contract, signed in November, included a comprehensive definition of generative AI and outlined guidelines for notice, consent, and compensation regarding digital replicas of actors. It also highlighted the importance of human performance in motion pictures and its impact on employment.

However, some members of SAG-AFTRA criticized the contract for not pushing for stronger protections. The union's statement concluded with their support for the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, introduced by Congressman Joe Morelle, to prevent such exploitative incidents from recurring. They voiced their solidarity with Taylor Swift and women everywhere who become victims of privacy infringement and violation of autonomy. Concurrently, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, during a news briefing, expressed alarm at the images of Swift, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of lax enforcement on women. She highlighted the essential role of social media companies in enforcing their own rules to prevent the spread of misinformation and non-consensual distribution of intimate imagery. Jean-Pierre also mentioned the President's implementation of the first national helpline for survivors of image-based sexual abuse launched earlier this year.