Election interference efforts ramp up across the ballot
Russia attempted to “undermine” Vice President Harris’s campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) videos while China is targeting some GOP congressional candidates ahead of November, Microsoft said in a new report.
Russian operatives have created AI-enhanced deepfake videos portraying Harris in an unfavorable light as the election quickly approaches, according to The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center report.
In one video, Harris was “accused of illegally poaching in Zambia,” while another clip falsely showed the vice president making a “crass reference” to the assassination attempts against former President Trump, the report said.
Most of these AI-generated videos do not receive a lot of engagement, though one video with disinformation about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) received more than 5 million views on the social media platform X in the first 24 hours, Microsoft said.
Increased activity was also observed from Chinese influence operations going after down-ballot Republican candidates and lawmakers who have publicly criticized China.
The targeted campaigns include those of Republican Reps. Michael McCaul (Texas) and Barry Moore (Ala.), along with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The group also targeted Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is not up for reelection this year.
The group behind these efforts, dubbed Taizi Flood, “parroted antisemitic messages, amplified accusations of corruption and promoted opposition candidates,” Microsoft said.
The targeted lawmakers slammed these influence efforts on Tuesday, while noting they are not surprised.
“We know that the CCP is antisemitic, so it isn’t surprising that they are targeting me and other politicians who support Israel to try sow division in advance of the most important election in our lifetime,” Moore wrote Tuesday.
McCaul said he “considers it a badge of honor” when the CCP “takes issue” with his work. He is the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy told The Hill presidential elections are domestic affairs for the U.S. and China has “no intention and will not interfere” with it.
“Meanwhile, we hope that the US side will not make an issue of China in the election. The ownership of the relevant social media accounts should be determined on the basis of solid evidence,” the spokesperson said.
