an army It is controlled by China social media bots attempt this to influence voters According to a study released Wednesday by Microsoft, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee are underestimating Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Experts say the operation represents a coordinated effort to interfere in down-ballot races, where fake accounts smear Republicans like Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Rubio.
According to Microsoft, the troll network “promoted anti-Semitic messages, allegations of corruption, and promoted opposition candidates.”
Researchers say the group responsible is known as Taizi Flood, formerly affiliated with China’s Ministry of Public Security. The report notes that the lawmakers were targeted because of their history of criticizing Chinese government policies.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington said that China “does not intend and will not interfere in the US election” and that such claims are “full of malicious speculation”.
Among other things, the bots criticized Moore’s support for Israel and used anti-Semitic language. Another group of related accounts claimed Rubio was part of a financial corruption scheme.
The bots boosted support for Blackburn’s election opponent while spreading allegations that he took money from pharmaceutical companies. Along with McCaul, they pushed stories that he engaged in insider trading.
Moore, McCaul and Blackburn are up for re-election next month. Rubio, the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is not up for re-election until 2028.
Microsoft researchers found that the influence effort did not result in “high levels of engagement.” The report did not provide any indication of how many Americans viewed the relevant social media posts.
Madison Green, a spokeswoman for Moore, said her office was aware of the campaign.
“We know the CCP is anti-Semitic, so it’s no surprise they’re targeting me and other pro-Israel politicians to sow division ahead of the most important election of our lives,” Moore said, referring to the Chinese. Communist Party.
“China has made it clear that they will use every weapon in their arsenal, including offensive cyber capabilities, to try and destroy democracy around the world.”
In an emailed statement, McCall said he considered the target a “badge of honor” because he had “made opposing the CCP a central part of my career.”
A spokesman for Blackburn did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Rubio said he believed China’s goal was to “shape American opinion on critical issues and target specific candidates, particularly candidates they consider anti-Chinese.”
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates federal efforts to protect elections from outside influence, cited a previous statement to Reuters.
“Foreign actors, particularly Russia, Iran and China, are intent on spreading divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine American confidence in the US democratic system.”