By James Bradley, Photo by Karolina Grabowska
In an era where information flows faster than ever, the battle for public perception is being fought with unprecedented sophistication. Social media platforms like X have become battlegrounds for narratives, with a noticeable surge in anti-Trump administration rhetoric since 2023. At the heart of this orchestrated campaign, critics argue, lies a shadowy force: George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) and its strategic deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to amplify progressive agendas. The launch of OSF’s Applied AI in Journalism Challenge in June 2023 marks a pivotal moment in this saga—a calculated move to harness AI for “mission-driven newsrooms” that, some claim, doubles as a propaganda machine. This article connects the dots, exposing how OSF’s initiatives, backed by billions, are reshaping media landscapes and fueling divisive narratives, while identifying key influencers and political figures who may be leveraging this technology.
The AI Journalism Challenge: A Trojan Horse for Narrative Control?
In June 2023, the Open Society Foundations announced the Applied AI in Journalism Challenge, a global competition aimed at integrating AI into journalism. According to OSF’s official report, over 100 teams applied, with 12 receiving $5,000 grants and one winner awarded $25,000 to further develop their AI-driven projects. On the surface, the initiative appears noble: empowering newsrooms in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines to innovate. But a closer look reveals a more troubling intent. The challenge prioritizes “mission-driven” outlets—often synonymous with progressive or left-leaning organizations—raising questions about the impartiality of the resulting AI tools.
Critics, including analysts from the Media Research Center (MRC), argue that OSF’s funding is rarely neutral. With over $32 billion funneled into OSF since 1984, Soros has built a global network that, according to MRC, supports radical agendas on issues like abortion, Marxist economics, and defunding the police. The AI in Journalism Challenge is seen by some as an extension of this agenda, equipping newsrooms with AI tools to craft narratives that align with Soros’s vision of an “open society”—a term inspired by philosopher Karl Popper but interpreted by critics as a euphemism for globalist, progressive ideals.
On X, posts have echoed this skepticism, with users pointing to the challenge as a mechanism for embedding AI-driven propaganda in media. One trending sentiment labels it a “digital puppet show,” where AI tools generate tailored content to sway public opinion against conservative figures like Donald Trump. While these claims lack direct evidence tying specific AI outputs to anti-Trump propaganda, the timing of the challenge—launched during a period of heightened political polarization—fuels suspicion.
The Propaganda Playbook: AI, Social Media, and Mainstream Media Convergence
The AI in Journalism Challenge isn’t an isolated effort. It’s part of a broader OSF strategy to influence media ecosystems. MRC’s 2022 study revealed that Soros funds at least 253 journalism and media organizations worldwide, including NPR, ProPublica, and Project Syndicate, which collectively shape narratives across continents. These outlets, bolstered by OSF’s $131 million in media grants between 2016 and 2020, often amplify progressive talking points, from climate alarmism to critiques of American exceptionalism.
AI amplifies this influence exponentially. Tools developed through initiatives like OSF’s challenge can automate content creation, analyze audience sentiments, and micro-target narratives on platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram. For instance, AI-driven algorithms can prioritize anti-Trump stories, suppress opposing views, or craft viral posts that resonate with specific demographics. The result? A seamless propaganda pipeline where mainstream media and social media converge to reinforce a singular worldview.
X has been a focal point for this dynamic. Since 2023, users have noted a proliferation of anti-Trump content, from memes mocking his policies to articles questioning his administration’s legitimacy. While some attribute this to organic sentiment, others point to coordinated campaigns. Posts on X frequently highlight OSF-funded outlets like Courier Newsroom, which received $5 million from Soros-backed groups in 2021–2022 to produce “values-driven journalism.” Critics, including The Washington Post, have called Courier a “political operation” masquerading as news, with content often mirroring Democratic talking points.
The Influencers: Faces of the AI-Driven Narrative
Identifying specific influencers tied to OSF’s AI initiatives is challenging due to the opaque nature of funding and content creation. However, several high-profile figures and outlets stand out for their alignment with OSF’s goals and their prominence in anti-Trump narratives:
- Tara McGowan (Courier Newsroom): As CEO of Courier Newsroom’s parent company, Good Information Inc., McGowan has been linked to OSF through multimillion-dollar grants. Her frequent White House visits—nearly 20 between 2022 and 2023—suggest coordination with Democratic operatives. Courier’s AI-driven content, focusing on democracy and voting rights, often targets battleground states, amplifying anti-Trump sentiment.
- Project Syndicate Contributors: This Soros-funded outlet, which claimed 20,393 published commentaries in 156 countries in 2021, features prominent journalists and thought leaders. Its AI-enhanced distribution ensures wide reach for progressive narratives, including critiques of Trump’s policies.
- Social Media Activists: On X, accounts with large followings, such as those tied to progressive groups like MoveOn.org (which has received OSF funding), frequently post AI-generated content like deepfake-style memes or tailored anti-Trump threads. While direct links to the AI in Journalism Challenge are unconfirmed, the sophistication of these campaigns suggests advanced tools.
- These influencers operate within a network where OSF’s funding creates a ripple effect, enabling smaller creators to amplify coordinated messages. The use of AI ensures scalability, allowing a single narrative to dominate feeds across platforms.
The Political Connection: Marxist Democrats in the Mix
The term “Marxist Democrat politicians” is a charged label, often used by conservatives to describe progressive figures aligned with socialist or far-left policies. While no evidence directly ties specific politicians to OSF’s AI in Journalism Challenge, OSF’s broader political donations offer clues about its influence. In 2020, OSF donated $35,660 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $22,677 to Joe Biden’s campaign, alongside $28 million to Democratic-affiliated groups.
Key figures who have benefited from Soros’s largesse and may leverage AI-driven media include:
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC): A vocal advocate for democratic socialism, AOC’s media presence is amplified by progressive outlets like The Intercept, which has received OSF funding. Her social media strategy, blending viral content with policy critiques, aligns with the capabilities of AI tools to target young, progressive voters.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders: While not a Democrat, Sanders’s socialist platform and anti-Trump rhetoric resonate with OSF’s priorities. His campaigns have been supported by OSF-funded groups like Our Revolution, which use digital tools to mobilize voters.
- District Attorneys (e.g., Alvin Bragg): Soros has funded progressive DAs like Manhattan’s Alvin Bragg, who indicted Trump in 2023. Critics, including Trump allies, claim these DAs use OSF-backed media to justify their actions, with AI tools potentially shaping public perception of high-profile cases.
These politicians benefit indirectly from OSF’s media ecosystem, where AI-crafted narratives can sway voters or justify controversial decisions. However, claims of direct AI use by these figures remain speculative without concrete evidence.
The Bigger Picture: A Threat to Open Discourse?
The Applied AI in Journalism Challenge is just one piece of a larger puzzle. OSF’s influence extends beyond journalism to NGOs, think tanks, and government agencies, creating a web of interconnected players. For example, OSF’s ties to USAID, documented through co-funded projects and lawsuits, suggest a broader agenda to embed progressive ideals in global governance.
On X, users warn of a “propaganda machine” that stifles dissent and polarizes societies. The fear is that AI, in the hands of well-funded actors like OSF, can manipulate truth at scale, eroding trust in media and democracy. Yet, OSF defenders argue that Soros’s investments counter authoritarianism and promote free expression, citing his support for Black Lives Matter and Planned Parenthood as evidence of a commitment to justice.
Connecting the Dots: What Can Be Done?
The evidence paints a troubling picture: OSF’s AI in Journalism Challenge is part of a sophisticated effort to shape narratives through technology, with anti-Trump rhetoric as a visible outcome. While direct causation is hard to prove, the patterns—OSF’s funding, AI’s capabilities, and the surge in coordinated media—suggest intent. To counter this, transparency is key:
- Demand Accountability: Journalists and platforms must disclose OSF funding and AI use in content creation.
- Support Independent Media: Amplify voices outside the OSF ecosystem to diversify narratives.
- Educate the Public: Teach media literacy to help audiences recognize AI-driven propaganda.
Note: Claims of a “propaganda machine” or direct ties to specific influencers and politicians are based on patterns and correlations, not definitive proof. Readers should critically evaluate sources and seek primary evidence to form their own conclusions.