ABC News Daily Is Iran's 'slopaganda' changing anyone's mind?
May 7, 2026
Brett Schafer, senior director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and expert on information warfare, breaks down Iran’s AI-driven “slopaganda.” He explains its low-fi meme formats, global creators and state amplification. Short viral clips, satire and diplomats’ playful accounts aim to soften Iran’s image and shape international perception.
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Iran Blends AI Slop With Classic Propaganda
- Iran combines low-quality AI content with traditional propaganda to mass-produce viral material.
- Brett Schafer describes AI-generated Lego videos, rap clips and images that state accounts and diplomats amplify.
80s Synth Pop Trump Video Went Viral
- A viral 80s-style AI music video featuring Donald Trump was picked up by Iranian diplomatic accounts and reached tens of millions of views.
- Brett Schafer says the 'blockade, blockade' synth-pop clip was produced by a German creator then amplified by embassies.
Diplomats Turned Into Meme Broadcasters
- Iranian diplomats adopted playful meme tactics during the war, rapidly growing followings on X from near-zero.
- Embassies in Africa saw follower jumps of tens to hundreds of thousands after sharing meme content.