Brad Parscale Leads Israeli Influence Campaign Targeting MAGA Supporters
Brad Parscale, who previously managed Donald Trump's presidential campaign, is now at the helm of a digital influence operation for Israel, targeting young conservatives within the MAGA movement. This initiative was launched after a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran on June 17, which saw unexpected backlash from Trump supporters online. Influencers within the MAGA base criticized the agreement, prompting a senior U.S. official to investigate the coordinated nature of these posts, leading to suspicions about Parscale's involvement.
In September 2025, Parscale's firm, Clock Tower X, was contracted by the global ad agency Havas to produce a significant volume of content aimed at improving Israel's standing among young conservatives. The agreement stipulated the creation of 100 original pieces of content each month, primarily targeting Gen Z audiences across various platforms, including TikTok and Instagram. Parscale's firm was also expected to generate at least 50 million digital impressions monthly, with a budget of $1.5 million per month from Israel.
While the campaign was publicly framed as a response to rising antisemitism, insiders revealed that its strategic goal was to prevent young conservatives from distancing themselves from Israel. Parscale, leveraging his experience from Trump's campaign and his role at Salem Media Network, positioned himself as a key figure capable of influencing this demographic. He has denied any involvement in undermining Trump's objectives, asserting that he has never participated in efforts against the former president.
The operation reportedly involved a network of conservative influencers who received guidance on messaging through private group chats. They were compensated based on the engagement their posts generated. However, Parscale claims that no funds from the FARA-registered contract were used to pay influencers, as this would require disclosure of funding sources.
Despite the campaign's ongoing efforts, both the Trump Administration and Israeli officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the results. Support for Israel among young conservatives has reportedly declined, with recent polls indicating a growing unfavorable view of Israel within this group. An Israeli official involved in the campaign expressed frustration, stating that despite significant financial investment, the situation has worsened.
Parscale argues that the campaign has been effective in maintaining support for Israel among those who align with Trump-like policies, citing a poll that showed increased favorability for Israel among this group. However, some U.S. officials are concerned that the campaign has evolved into an influence operation that conflicts with the President's political interests, particularly as Trump's and Netanyahu's war aims diverge.
The campaign's approach reflects a broader trend of foreign influence operations targeting American political discourse. While Parscale insists that his work does not compromise the independence of conservative media, the implications of foreign entities attempting to shape opinions within the President's own base raise significant concerns about the integrity of American political dialogue. As the landscape of digital influence continues to evolve, the intersection of foreign interests and domestic politics remains a critical area of scrutiny.
