California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of significant bills aimed at combating the rise of election deepfakes and protecting the digital likenesses of performers from unauthorized AI exploitation. The new laws make California the first state to ban political deepfakes during election seasons, prompting social media companies to take action against misleading content. The legislation provides greater protections for actors and other performers, requiring their consent for the use of their likenesses in AI-generated works. However, the measures have drawn criticism, most notably from Elon Musk, who claims that the laws could criminalize legitimate parody and satire. Newsom expressed concerns about a potential 'chilling effect' these regulations may have on free expression while underscoring the need for guardrails in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As California takes these steps, the ongoing debate over the balance between innovation, safety, and artistic freedom continues.