Full Breakdown
Israel’s Multi-Million-Dollar Campaign to Shape U.S. Public Opinion
7/22/2026, 5:56:06 AM
Core Event
Investigations by the Wall Street Journal revealed that Israel contracted former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale and other firms for a $45 million influence operation targeting U.S. audiences. The effort uses AI-generated text messages under “Friends for Peace,” ads on Salem Media, and outreach to Christian megachurches and Gen Z users on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. It is part of a broader “public diplomacy” budget exceeding $700 million for the 2026 fiscal year.
Background & Context
U.S. sentiment toward Israel has fallen sharply amid the Gaza war and Iran tensions. A Pew survey cited in the investigations found about 60 percent of American adults now hold a negative view of Israel, prompting Israel to expand overseas influence activities beyond traditional diplomacy.
Key Players and Contracts
- Brad Parscale – former digital director for Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns; chief strategy officer at Salem Media; oversees AI-driven text outreach.
- Salem Media – conservative Christian broadcaster; CEO David Santrella says hosts are not paid to recite scripts.
- SparkFire – AI-text messaging firm paid $6.5 million to run the “Friends for Peace” conversations.
- Show Faith by Works – Christian outreach group planning a $3 million geofencing campaign to reach about 4 million megachurch members and college students.
- Nick Cleveland-Stout – Quincy Institute researcher noting Israel is on track to spend more on disclosed U.S. influence efforts than any other foreign government.
Data & Statistics
- Reported Israeli spending: at least $45 million for the Parscale contract, $500,000+ in Salem ads, $6.5 million to SparkFire, $3 million to Show Faith by Works, and $4,500 to evangelical influencers Stefanie and Caleb Rouse.
- Over six firms have been retained in the past year; roughly three dozen U.S. marketing professionals have registered as foreign agents for Israel.
- The 2026 Israeli budget earmarks more than $700 million for public-diplomacy activities, about four times the 2025 allocation.
Official Statements & Responses
Israeli officials describe the operation as a defensive response to “misinformation” and rising antisemitism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with pro-Israel influencers in the United States but offered no comment on specific payments.
Criticism & Opposition
- Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist, questioned the propriety of a major conservative network being linked to a foreign-registered agent.
- U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Israel of trying to manipulate American opinion to prolong the war with Iran, stating, “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are people in Israel who are trying to manipulate American public opinion in order to keep this war going indefinitely.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our hosts built their careers by saying exactly what they think, not by reading someone else’s script,” — David Santrella, CEO, Salem Media
- “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are people in Israel who are trying to manipulate American public opinion in order to keep this war going indefinitely,” — J.D. Vance, Vice President
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The investigations give slightly different totals. The Wall Street Journal cites a $45 million Parscale contract, while another source notes Israel paid “at least $50 million” to U.S. firms for broader influence work. Neither provides a full accounting of ancillary expenses, leaving the total scale unclear.
What’s Next
Israeli officials say the 2026 budget will continue funding “shape-consciousness” initiatives, but no specific milestones or hearings have been scheduled. Ongoing debate in Washington over foreign influence may prompt legislative scrutiny, though no formal inquiry has been announced.
