US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed diplomats to actively combat anti-American propaganda. According to a diplomatic cable reviewed by Reuters, officials are asked to use the social media platform X and coordinate closely with military psychological operations units. This move aims to counter disinformation campaigns that threaten US national security and strengthen the country’s messaging abroad.

Diplomats to Collaborate with Military Psyops Units

Rubio emphasized that diplomats should work with interagency partners, including the Pentagon’s psychological operations division, previously known as Military Information Support Operations (MISO). Traditionally, MISO has focused on influencing enemy soldiers during conflict.

However, military psyops have sometimes clashed with diplomatic efforts. For instance, during the first Trump administration, Pentagon psyops teams reportedly created fake social media accounts to question China’s Covid-19 vaccine, despite objections from State Department officials. This history shows the challenge of combining military and diplomatic strategies effectively.

Promote Accurate Information Using X

The directive also instructs diplomats to promote reliable information and actively refute false claims. Officials are encouraged to use tools like the crowdsourced commentary feature, called “community notes,” on Elon Musk’s X. Additionally, other artificial intelligence tools are suggested to enhance accuracy and credibility.

Addressing Criticism of X

Although X is widely used by government officials, it has faced criticism for hosting deepfake images and disinformation. Its AI chatbot, Grok, has also raised privacy concerns. Despite these challenges, X remains a platform that promotes free speech and allows officials to communicate directly with the public. The platform is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, a strong Trump ally and a major figure in his election campaigns.

Strategic Communication to Strengthen US Messaging

By combining social media outreach with military collaboration, US diplomats aim to create a stronger, unified front against global misinformation. This strategy not only counters false narratives but also ensures that American messaging remains credible and influential worldwide.