12-8-69 Viral video of Netanyahu insulting two US cabinet members identified as deepfake by Thai PBS Verify.
According to Thai PBS Verify, the source of this fake news was Facebook.
Alleged video of Netanyahu speaking with two US cabinet secretaries.
Thai PBS Verify found that a Facebook user under the name ‘Sitthikorn KA’ posted a video clip claiming to show Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with a caption stating:
… >>Netanyahu is lambasting Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio during the funeral of Lindsey Graham…
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Breaking News: Using experimental quantum AI lip-reading, classified audio reconstruction technology from DARPA, and surplus NSA microwave microphones we found in the trash, we have successfully recovered the entire private conversation between Netanyahu, Pete Hegseth, and Marco Rubio at Lindsey Graham’s funeral. Here is the full transcript:
First released on July 30, 2026, the clip depicts Netanyahu conversing with two US cabinet secretaries, using insulting remarks against both officials. It has since drawn over 850 reactions and over 140 shares.
Is the video footage real?
An analysis of the clip using Detectvideo.ai’s AI video detection tool indicates a 67% probability of Deepfake facial manipulation.
Furthermore, keyframe extraction via Bibigpt.co uncovered visual inconsistencies in the footage. Specifically, at 00:08, Netanyahu walks past Pete Hegseth; however, at 00:09, Hegseth suddenly disappears, replaced by a man resembling Marco Rubio walking behind Netanyahu. This abrupt transition is a telltale sign of AI generation.
Image displaying a common visual glitch inherent in AI videos
Is it true that Netanyahu made insulting remarks about two US cabinet members?
A reverse image search via Google Lens revealed that the video aligns with news reports of Benjamin Netanyahu attending the funeral service of Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2026.
An image showing Google Lens search results matching news footage of Netanyahu attending Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2026
Furthermore, the original video broadcast by CBS shows Netanyahu conversing normally with the two US ministers without tension. In the closing seconds, Netanyahu moves to the left of the frame, whereas the fake clip depicts him walking to the right.
A news video from the CBS network
What is the actual truth?
- Netanyahu Did Not Insult US Ministers: News reports and claimed dialogue asserting that Netanyahu used harsh language against Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth are completely false.
- The clip is an AI-manipulated deepfake. File scans identified facial tampering with a 67% probability, while the claim involving ‘quantum AI lip-reading’ is a fabricated narrative meant to deceive.
- The Real Event Was a Standard Conversation: The original video was filmed on July 28, 2026, during the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington, D.C. The authentic clip broadcast by CBS News shows the Israeli Prime Minister talking with the two US cabinet members in a cordial tone with no signs of distress or disrespectful language. At the end of the clip, Netanyahu walks back to the left side of the frame, rather than to the right as shown in the manipulated video.
Verification Process
- AI Detection Tool Analysis: Testing the clip on Detectvideo.ai confirms a high probability of Deepfake facial alteration, backed by evidence indicating a 67% likelihood of manipulation.
- Keyframe Analysis Reveals Technical Flaws: Frame-by-frame analysis via Bibigpt.co exposed a clear glitch between 00:08 and 00:09. As Netanyahu walks past Pete Hegseth, Hegseth unnaturally vanishes a second later, replaced by another man resembling Marco Rubio following behind—a hallmark error of AI video generation.
- Verification of Original Stills and Video Footage (Reverse Image & Video Search): By running still images through a Google Lens reverse search, we confirmed they originate from news reports on Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral in Washington, D.C., held on July 28, 2026. Checking the actual footage recorded by CBS News (USA) showed the three men having a regular, relaxed discussion with no tense expressions. At the end of the real clip, Netanyahu walks back toward the left side of the camera, whereas the manipulated version shows him heading to the right.
The Impact of This Misinformation
Fostering Misunderstanding and International Political Tension: Deepfake videos falsely depicting a world leader hurling insults at ministers of an allied nation risk creating confusion and negatively impacting diplomatic relations on the global stage.
The Adoption of Advanced Deceptive Technologies: Threat actors are increasingly combining authentic event footage with AI tools and propaganda narratives referencing government agencies like DARPA or the NSA to gain trust, making it difficult for the public to separate fact from falsehood.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Remain Skeptical of Sensationalist or Exaggerated Tech Claims: Whenever encountering posts claiming the use of ‘microphones retrieved from a dumpster’ or ‘quantum AI audio recovery,’ immediately suspect that it is either satire or a deliberate hoax.
- Spotting Visual Glitches in Video: AI-altered and deepfake videos regularly feature telltale signs, including blurred faces, unnatural lighting effects, or sudden character disappearances and face swaps, similar to what occurs at 00:08–00:09 in this clip.
- Verify Clips with Neutral Mainstream Outlets: When news involves prominent global figures, cross-check with major international media (e.g., CBS, Reuters, AFP). If these outlets carry no report of the alleged insult, assume the clip is fabricated.
- Stop Sharing and Report Misinformation: Refrain from forwarding fake clips that mislead the public. You can submit links to the Thai PBS Verify team for fact-checking to help break the chain of fake news on social media
