Trump Accuses Iran of Using AI to Spread Disinformation

US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of using artificial intelligence as a "disinformation weapon" to misrepresent its wartime successes and support.

“SAN FRANCISCO — US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Iran of using artificial intelligence as a “disinformation weapon” to misrepresent its wartime successes and support”

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Speaking to reporters on Air Force One shortly after posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Western media outlets were engaged in "close coordination" with Iran to spread AI-generated "fake news."

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The President emphasized the dangers of AI, stating "AI can be very dangerous, we have to be very careful with it."

These accusations come amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and broadcasters, with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatening to pull licenses of broadcasters who did not "correct course" on their coverage of the US and Israel's war with Iran.

Trump specifically cited three instances where he claimed Iran used AI to mislead the public, though his assertions were contradicted by available evidence.

On Truth Social, he claimed that Iran had shown "kamikaze boats" that do not exist, yet Reuters verified images filmed from the Iraqi port of Basra showing explosive-laden Iranian boats appearing to attack two fuel tankers, killing at least one crew member.

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Trump further stated that Iran used AI to falsely depict a successful attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, claiming publications that propagated the news should be charged with treason.

While Iranian state media did claim that Iran's military struck the USS Abraham Lincoln, the claim was not widely picked up by Western outlets.

In his third major accusation, Trump claimed that images showing "250,000" Iranians at a rally to support new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei were "totally AI generated" and that the event "never took place."

“SAN FRANCISCO — US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Iran of using artificial intelligence as a “disinformation weapon” to misrepresent its wartime successes and support”

GMA Network

However, several pro-government demonstrations have occurred in Iran since the war began, and many media organizations, including Reuters, have run news photos showing crowds in Tehran after Khamenei was named leader.

A brief search by Reuters did not find any Western reports that cite a figure of 250,000, suggesting Trump may have been referring to specific claims rather than widespread reporting of the exact number.

The timing of Trump's accusations coincides with renewed tensions between the Trump administration and the media over coverage of the US and Israel's war with Iran.

Trump has a history of accusing news media outlets of lying when they run stories critical of him, and has previously called for removing the licenses of broadcast outlets he views as unfair.

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The FCC Chairman's threat to pull licenses suggests the administration may be considering regulatory action against media outlets that do not align with its preferred narrative on the conflict with Iran.