Trump Accuses Iran of Using AI to Spread Disinformation

The former president claims Iran is using artificial intelligence to mislead the public about wartime successes and support.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:57am by Ben Kaplan

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of using artificial intelligence as a "disinformation weapon" to misrepresent its wartime successes and support. Trump cited three specific instances where he claimed Iran used AI to mislead the public, including showing "kamikaze boats" that do not exist, falsely depicting a successful attack on a U.S. aircraft carrier, and generating images of a large pro-government rally that he says never took place.

Why it matters

Trump's accusations highlight ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as concerns about the use of AI for the spread of misinformation. The former president has frequently criticized media coverage of issues related to him and his administration, and his latest claims raise questions about the role of technology in modern information warfare.

The details

In a post on his Truth Social platform and comments to reporters, Trump cited three examples of what he claimed were Iran's use of AI to mislead the public. He said Iran had shown "kamikaze boats" that do not actually exist, falsely depicted a successful attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, and generated images of a 250,000-person rally supporting Iran's new Supreme Leader that he said never took place. While some pro-government demonstrations have occurred in Iran, Reuters could not find Western media reports citing a 250,000-person figure.

  • On March 15, 2026, Trump made the accusations against Iran on his Truth Social platform and in comments to reporters on Air Force One.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who made the accusations against Iran's use of AI.

Mojtaba Khamenei

The new Supreme Leader of Iran whose rally Trump claimed was AI-generated.

Brendan Carr

The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission who threatened to pull licenses of broadcasters over their coverage of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran.

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What they’re saying

“AI can be very dangerous, we have to be very careful with it.”

— Donald Trump, Former U.S. President

What’s next

The FCC's threat to pull broadcast licenses over coverage of the U.S.-Iran conflict could lead to further tensions and legal battles between the government and media outlets.

The takeaway

Trump's accusations highlight the growing concerns around the use of AI for the spread of disinformation, especially in the context of geopolitical conflicts. This case underscores the need for greater scrutiny and regulation around the deployment of AI technologies, as well as the importance of maintaining a free and independent press.