Russia is now recruiting American social media stars to covertly influence U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Recent charges and U.S. officials confirm this tactic. “Russia relies on Americans to promote their narratives,” a senior intelligence official stated on Friday.
Foreign actors believe that Americans are more likely to trust views from fellow Americans. Consequently, this strategy makes Russia’s operations appear more authentic. Their goal is to incite anger, emphasize divisions, and question the effectiveness of the U.S. government.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department charged two former RT employees with covertly funding an American media company. According to the indictment, approximately $10 million was transferred to Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan. They then paid American influencers to create content that supported Russian interests.
Chen and Donovan did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the media outlet, identified as Tenet Media, employs well-known figures like Tim Pool and Benny Johnson. Despite numerous inquiries, Tenet Media has remained unresponsive.
The indictment reveals that Chen and Donovan were aware the funds came from Russian operatives. However, the influencers themselves were unaware of this connection. Tenet Media operates a YouTube channel and various social media profiles.
Historical Context and Modern Tactics
Court documents further disclose that Tenet’s founders directed a commentator to spread false claims about a terrorist attack in Moscow. Experts argue that this approach is a modern update of Cold War-era tactics. “Using media to launder propaganda was common back then; now influencers play that role,” noted Renee DiResta.
In a separate development, the Justice Department revealed another Russian operation named Doppelganger. This initiative impersonated Western news outlets to disseminate false information about U.S. political candidates and the war in Ukraine.
Russian agencies, including Social Design Agency and Structura National Technology, orchestrated this operation. They collaborated with Western influencers who endorsed pro-Russian narratives. Notably, they monitored 2,800 influencers, with 600 based in the U.S
