Trump accuses Iran of using AI to spread disinformation

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

“AI can be very dangerous, we have to be very careful with it,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. His comments came shortly after a post on his Truth Social platform, where he accused Western media outlets—without providing evidence—of “close coordination” with Iran to spread AI-generated “fake news.”

The remarks come amid renewed tensions between the Federal Communications Commission and broadcasters, following Trump’s criticism of media coverage of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned on Saturday that the agency could revoke licenses of broadcasters who fail to “correct course” in their reporting.

Trump has long accused news outlets of publishing stories he considers critical or unfair to him and has previously suggested that licenses of certain broadcast networks should be revoked.

On Sunday, Trump cited three examples of what he claims are AI-driven disinformation efforts by Iran. On Truth Social, he said Iran displayed “kamikaze boats” that do not exist and falsely portrayed a successful attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. He added that publications spreading such claims should face charges of treason.

Reuters verified images filmed at the Iraqi port of Basra, showing explosive-laden Iranian boats attacking two fuel tankers, killing at least one crew member. Iranian state media did claim a strike on the USS Abraham Lincoln, though this report was not widely covered by Western outlets.

Trump also alleged that images showing “250,000” Iranians at a rally supporting new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei were entirely AI-generated and that the event “never took place.” While several pro-government demonstrations have been reported in Iran since the war began, Reuters found no Western reports confirming a crowd of 250,000. News agencies, including Reuters, have published photos of gatherings in Tehran after Khamenei was named leader.

Trump did not specify which Iranian news reports he was referencing in his claims.

-Reporting by Kenrick Cai; Editing by Sergio Non and Kate Mayberry/Reuters