St. Johns County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst has denounced what he described as a deceptive, AI-generated podcast that covers local issues.
At a Tuesday board meeting, Whitehurst said the issue first came to his attention last year when a podcast episode surfaced criticizing retired Air Force Colonel Bill Dudley and calling for changes within the county’s Veterans Council.
The eerily realistic conversation — complete with interruptions and playful banter — feature an eloquent man and woman discussing political topics with NPR-ready intonations.
Still, the facsimile falters at times, with jarring mispronunciations of routine words.
Whitehurst said the podcast, which opens episodes by promising a “deep dive in St. Johns County,” offers only “criticisms and accusations.”
He noted that its content has included critiqued Congressman Randy Fine, Susie Wiles — President Donald Trump’s chief of staff and a Northeast Florida native — and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The commissioner said the show has changed names, alternating between One Citizen SJC and St. Johns County Unfiltered, but that “the tone remains the same.”
“A lot of elected officials have been torn down and been the targets of their criticism,” he said.
While emphasizing that citizens have a First Amendment right to voice disagreements, Whitehurst urged those behind the podcast to “come out of the shadows.”
“Put your name next to it,” he said. “Don’t lurk behind a keyboard and punch your thoughts into an AI-generated podcast that is, in my opinion, designed to deceive people.”
While view counts vary, some episodes have drawn audiences in the hundreds, according to the channel’s YouTube page.
Episodes are also available on Rumble.
