Trump accuses Iran of weaponizing AI to spread disinformation amid escalating media tensions

Trump Alleges Iran Deploys AI as Disinformation Weapon

President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Iran of using artificial intelligence as a "disinformation weapon" to misrepresent its wartime successes and fabricate public support during the ongoing conflict1

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. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that "AI can be very dangerous, we have to be very careful with it," shortly after posting on Truth Social where he alleged Western media outlets maintained "close coordination" with Iran to spread AI-generated "fake news"2

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. The president characterized Iran as a "Master of Media Manipulation and Public Relations," claiming Tehran is "Militarily ineffective and weak, but are really good at 'feeding' the very appreciative Fake News Media false information"3

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Three Specific Claims of AI-Generated Content

Between his Truth Social post and comments to journalists, Donald Trump cited three specific instances where he claimed Iran used AI to mislead the public1

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. First, he alleged Iran displayed "kamikaze boats" that do not exist, describing the fabricated images as showing boats "shooting at various Ships at Sea, which looks wonderful, powerful, and vicious"3

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. Second, Trump claimed Iran used artificial intelligence to falsely depict a successful attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, stating the ship was shown "burning uncontrollably in the Ocean" when "it was not even shot at"3

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. He went further, suggesting that media outlets which propagated these claims should be charged with treason5

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. Third, the president asserted 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"2

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Reuters Verification Challenges Trump's Claims

However, Reuters has 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 member1

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. While Iranian state media did claim that Iran's military struck the USS Abraham Lincoln, this claim was not widely picked up by Western media outlets5

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. Regarding the rally in Tehran, 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 leader2

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. A brief search by Reuters did not find any Western reports that cite a figure of 250,000 attendees1

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. Trump did not clarify the specific news reports from Iran he was referencing5

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Federal Communications Commission Threatens Broadcast Licenses

The comments come amid renewed tensions between the Federal Communications Commission and broadcasters after Trump took aim at media coverage of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran4

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. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Saturday threatened to pull licenses of broadcasters who did not "correct course" on their coverage1

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. Trump praised Carr's actions, stating he was "so thrilled to see Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic 'News' Organizations"3

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. The president argued that broadcasters "get Billions of Dollars of FREE American Airwaves, and use it to perpetuate LIES"3

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. Trump has frequently accused news media outlets of lying when they run stories that he sees as critical of him, and he has previously called for removing the broadcast licenses of outlets he views as unfair2

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