Item 1 of 3 People wait in line to vote just before polls close during the Super Tuesday primary election in Edinburg, Texas, U.S., March 5, 2024. Reuters/Cheney Orr/File photo
(1/3) People stand in line to vote just before the polls close during the Super Tuesday primary election in Edinburg, Texas, USA on March 5, 2024. Reuters/Cheney Orr/File Photo Purchase License Rights, opens in a new tab Chinese bots target races in Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Rubio bots amplify anti-Semitic messages and corruption accusations China denies interference October 23 (Reuters) – An army of Chinese-controlled social media bots is attempting to influence voters in Alabama, Texas, and Microsoft (MSFT.O). ) Tennessee is disparaging Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Opens in a new tab, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
Experts say the operation is a coordinated effort to sabotage down-ballot races, with fake accounts linked to U.S. Reps. Barry Moore of Alabama, Michael McCaul of Texas and Marcia Black of Tennessee. Both Sen. Byrne and Mr. Rubio are said to have disparaged Republicans.
Microsoft said the troll network "repeated anti-Semitic messages, amplified corruption accusations, and promoted opposition candidates.”
Researchers said the group was known as Taizi Flood and was previously associated with China’s Ministry of Public Security. The report said the lawmakers were targeted because they have historically criticized Beijing’s policies.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said China “has no intention and has no intention of interfering in U.S. elections” and said the claims were “full of malicious speculation.”
Among other things, the bot criticized Moore’s support for Israel and used anti-Semitic language. Another group of affiliated accounts alleged that Mr. Rubio was involved in a financial corruption scheme.
The bots amplified support for Mr. Blackburn’s election rivals, while also promoting claims that Mr. Blackburn was receiving money from drug companies. As for Mr. McCaul, he pushed the theory that he was involved in insider trading.
Moore, McCall and Blackburn are all running for re-election next month. Rubio, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, will not be up for re-election until 2028.
Microsoft researchers found that influence efforts did not result in “high levels of engagement." The report does not provide metrics on how many Americans viewed the relevant social media posts.
Moore’s spokeswoman, Madison Green, said her office was aware of the campaign.
“We know that the Chinese Communist Party is anti-Semitic, which is why they targeted me and other politicians who support Israel to create divisiveness ahead of the most important election of our lifetime. It’s not surprising that we’re trying to plant seeds,” Moore said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.
“China has made clear that it intends to use all its arsenals, including offensive cyber capabilities, to destroy democracies around the world,” he added.
McCaul said in an emailed statement that he considers targeting the target a “badge of honor” because “confronting the Chinese Communist Party has been at the heart of my career.”
Blackburn said in a statement on her campaign website that China’s threats against her are “not new”, citing her opposition to TikTok and widespread criticism of China’s priorities.
Rubio said in a statement that he believes China’s purpose is to “shape American public opinion on important issues and target specific candidates, especially those it views as anti-China.” .
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates the federal government’s efforts to protect elections from foreign influence, referred Reuters to previous statements.
The report said, “Foreign actors, particularly Russia, Iran, and China, remain intent on stoking divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine Americans’ confidence in our democratic institutions.” said.
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Reporting by Christopher Bing; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Diane Craft
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