*

Chinese bots target Alabama, Texas, Tennessee races and

Rubio

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Bots amplify antisemitic messages, corruption accusations

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China denies interference, says claims are 'malicious

speculations'

(Adds Blackburn comment to Oct 23 story)

By Christopher Bing and A.J. Vicens

Oct 23 (Reuters) - An army of Chinese-controlled social

media bots is attempting to influence voters in Alabama, Texas

and Tennessee, while denigrating U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of

Florida, according to new research published on Wednesday by

Microsoft ( MSFT ).

The operation represents a coordinated interference effort

against down-ballot races, experts say, in which the fake

accounts are denigrating U.S. Representative Barry Moore of

Alabama, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, Tennessee

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Rubio, all Republicans.

The troll network has "parroted antisemitic messages,

amplified accusations of corruption and promoted opposition

candidates," according to Microsoft ( MSFT ).

The group responsible is known as Taizi Flood, which has

been previously associated with China's Ministry of Public

Security, researchers say. The lawmakers were each targeted

because they had denounced Chinese government policies

historically, the report notes.

A spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington said China

"has no intention and will not interfere in the U.S. election"

and that such claims are "full of malicious speculations."

Among other things, the bots criticized Moore's support for

Israel and used antisemitic language. Another collective of

related accounts claimed Rubio was part of a financial

corruption scheme.

The bots amplified support for Blackburn's election rival

while spreading claims she took money from pharmaceutical

companies. With McCaul, they pushed narratives that he engaged

in insider trading.

Moore, McCaul and Blackburn are all running for reelection

next month. Rubio, who serves as vice chair of the Senate

intelligence committee, is not up for reelection until 2028.

The Microsoft ( MSFT ) researchers found the influence effort did not

result "in high levels of engagement." The report did not

provide any metrics for how many Americans viewed the relevant

social media posts.

A spokesperson for Moore, Madison Green, said his office was

aware of the campaign.

"We know that the CCP is antisemitic, so it isn't surprising

that they are targeting me and other politicians who support

Israel to try to sow division in advance of the most important

election in our lifetime," said Moore, referring to the Chinese

Communist Party.

"China has made it clear they will use every weapon in their

arsenal, including offensive cyber capabilities, to try and

destroy democracy across the world," he added.

In an emailed statement, McCaul said he considered the

targeting a "badge of honor" as he's made "standing up to the

CCP a central part of my career."

Blackburn said in a statement posted to her campaign website

that Chinese threats against her "are nothing new" based on her

opposition to TikTok, and broader critiques of Chinese

priorities.

Rubio said in a statement that he believed China's goal was

to "shape American opinion on critical issues and target

specific candidates, especially those they view as anti-China."

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which

is coordinating the federal effort to defend the election from

foreign influence, referred Reuters to a past statement.

"Foreign actors - particularly Russia, Iran, and China -

remain intent on fanning divisive narratives to divide Americans

and undermine Americans' confidence in the U.S. democratic

system," it had said.