Trump threatens media with treason charges over Iran war coverage

The US president has accused outlets of spreading AI-generated propaganda allegedly fabricated by Tehran

US President Donald Trump has threatened media organizations with treason charges, accusing them of knowingly colluding with Iran to cast doubt on Washington’s decisive “victory.”

In a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump alleged that “fake news” outlets had been spreading false information supposedly fabricated by Iran using artificial intelligence.

“The fact is, Iran is being decimated, and the only battles they ‘win’ are those that they create through AI, and are distributed by Corrupt Media Outlets,” Trump wrote.

Trump claimed that Tehran has circulated fabricated footage showing attacks on US military assets, including alleged strikes on refueling aircraft and naval vessels.

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According to the president, some of the images depict non-existent “kamikaze boats” and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier burning, which he dismissed as artificial intelligence-generated propaganda intended to portray Iran as militarily successful. He claimed that only one aircraft was damaged and remained out of service since the escalation of the conflict on February 28.

Trump described the outlets that published the reports as “Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations,” adding that media spreading “knowingly FAKE” information “should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information.”

The US and Israel began coordinated strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February, triggering Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region.

Reports suggest that more than ten US aircraft have been damaged or destroyed, including several refueling planes damaged in Saudi Arabia, fighter jets reportedly lost to friendly fire, multiple drones, and a refueling aircraft crash in Iraq, along with damage to regional bases.