Backfire on Israeli Government’s Strategy with Brad Parscale

The Israeli government likely thought it was a smart move to hire former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale to regain traction among younger conservatives, many of whom have adopted negative or even hostile views towards Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan involved a discreet digital influence campaign designed to paint a favorable picture of Israel, with MAGA social media figures disseminating pro-Israel content. Essentially, it was seen as a sort of psychological operation to reaffirm Israel’s status as an ally in the American consciousness.

However, it turns out this strategy backfired spectacularly.

Responsible Statecraft, a Quincy Institute publication, was the first to highlight Parscale’s registration as a foreign agent and his pro-Israel campaign back in September 2025. The ensuing scandal has drawn increasing attention, involving various paid MAGA influencers, though the coverage still feels somewhat insufficient. Outlets like the Daily Caller have reported on it multiple times, including on Parscale’s firm’s data collection from unsuspecting World Cup fans. Recently, a new report surfaced, which some are calling a “bombshell.”

It seems that the scandal is gaining momentum, especially with new, unsettling details emerging in a recent TIME Magazine exposé.

What’s the Deal with Parscale?

Brad Parscale, who has experience from Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns, leads Clock Tower X, a firm tasked with creating various websites aimed at promoting pro-Israel messaging. Through a substantial contract with an Israeli public relations firm, Havas Media Network, Clock Tower X channeled $6 million to SparkFire Technologies. This company employs AI bots to “persuade people” and advocate for Israel through texts, emails, and web chats.

Further insights about Clock Tower’s partnership with Havas Media Network became public in a May filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), detailing blogs, social media actions, and website development.

This initiative aims to generate content that counters misinformation about Israel. The same filing discloses that Havas Media Network paid Clock Tower X $15 million, with approximately $13 million spent over a six-month period on related efforts.

Parscale also serves as the chief strategy officer for Salem Media Group, which operates 117 radio stations and conservative news platforms such as Townhall and PJ Media.

Who Are These Paid Influencers?

TIME identified only one influencer by name: Eyal Yakoby, a University of Pennsylvania graduate known for his pro-Israel advocacy and currently boasting over 300,000 followers on X. Yakoby has acted as a paid influencer for Influencable, a company where Parscale has a minority stake.

In an earlier version of the article, Yakoby asserted that he was compensated by Influencable to combat antisemitism but clarified that he was not paid to promote views he didn’t already hold, describing the arrangement as a “collaboration.” Yet, following the article’s publication, he publicly criticized TIME on X, insisting the quotes attributed to him were misleading.

TIME later amended the article, noting that Yakoby hadn’t confirmed any payment specifically for fighting antisemitism; he had just participated in campaigns for the firm.

An executive from Influencable stated that Yakoby’s involvement did not involve any foreign funds. Nonetheless, he did partake in influencer campaigns regarding Israel.

The Daily Mail also highlighted a range of MAGA influencers accused of being funded by foreign entities, listing individuals like C.J. Pearson and Ryan Fournier.

How Much Money is Flowing?

Interestingly, getting paid to promote a foreign government is quite profitable. Besides the substantial sums collected by Parscale’s companies, influencers stand to earn significant money through pro-Israel messaging. TIME found that another campaign offered influencers a base fee of $2,250, plus an extra $1 for every 1,000 views up to 2 million, allowing for potential earnings of around $4,250 per post.

Notably, those involved believed there was nothing wrong with being paid to post content. Parscale asserted that influencers were not funded through his FARA-registered contract, which would necessitate disclosure of payment sources.

Frustration Among Trump Officials

According to TIME, some officials within the White House are growing frustrated with Parscale—not due to negative portrayals of Israel but because they feel his campaign undermines Trump’s efforts to broker a lasting peace deal with Iran. There seems to be a growing divide between Parscale’s agenda and Trump’s, with his influencers potentially challenging the President’s own policies.

A senior U.S. intelligence official remarked, “We’re talking about American influencers being paid by a foreign country trying to shift the President’s perspective—and that’s serious.”

The situation has escalated to the extent that the White House has created a secret “blacklist” of MAGA influencers accused of accepting funds from foreign powers, according to reports. They are monitoring indicators that influencers may be trying to alter the conversation among Trump supporters.

Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump advisor, has expressed concerns about MAGA influencers manipulating Trump’s base due to payments from special entities.

Concerns from the Israeli Side

In a revealing comment from an anonymous Israeli official, it appeared that there is dissatisfaction with Parscale’s efforts. “We are upset with Brad Parscale. He was supposed to improve things, but they have only worsened,” the official stated, criticizing Parscale for failing to deliver results despite a hefty payment.

This resentment may stem from the perception that he exaggerated his connections to Trump, despite not having communicated with the president in years, according to various sources.

In his defense, Parscale cited a single poll indicating strong support for Israel among those who align with “Trump-like policies.” However, skeptics argue that basing conclusions on one poll is misleading since its methodology remains unknown.

The Israel Lobby Faces a Significant Challenge

The Israeli official’s remark underscores the inconsistencies in the Israeli government’s strategy to bolster its standing against both left- and right-wing pro-Palestine movements. Despite substantial investments in social media campaigns and lobbying efforts, a single negative narrative or image can quickly undermine their carefully crafted campaigns.

To counteract unfavorable perceptions, Israel must engage in extensive public relations efforts, while opponents only need to post one impactful story or image online to make a significant impact.

The Stakes for America

It’s undeniable that social media has been weaponized by various governments, including adversaries like Russia and Iran. However, it’s particularly troubling that Americans are being paid to promote foreign agendas—not just bots from overseas. When individuals use their influence to push these narratives, it can significantly impact American politics. The stories they highlight can shape governmental policies and officials’ decisions.

If paid MAGA influencers are working to undermine crucial peace negotiations on behalf of a foreign government, that poses a serious concern. In the grand scheme, incidents like this degrade trust in American governance and the political process. A loss of faith can lead people to support radical changes or upheaval in governance.