politics
March 25, 2026
Israel funds front websites in attempt to manipulate ChatGPT
The Israeli government is paying to support a network of front websites that are being used in attempts to manipulate popular search engines and drum up support for the war in Iran, a Washington Examiner review found.
TL;DR
- The Israeli government is funding a network of 11 front websites through a multimillion-dollar contract with Clock Tower X.
- The websites aim to manipulate search engines and AI chatbots like ChatGPT to promote support for the war in Iran and favorable views of Israel.
- Clock Tower X, run by former Trump campaign adviser Brad Parscale, is responsible for the operation, which is disclosed in FARA filings.
- The contract specifies using generative AI framing and SEO campaigns, with success measured by "sentiment movement."
- Critics, like ethics expert Craig Holman, describe these efforts as an unprecedented and ambitious foreign influence campaign.
- The front websites cover various topics, including economic cooperation, technological innovation, peace efforts, criticism of Iran, and the U.S.-Israeli alliance.
- The contract also includes provisions for integrating messaging into Salem Media Network properties.
- Parscale denies the efforts constitute a foreign influence campaign, stating they aim to address false claims and align with U.S. policy.
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