Russian Covert Influence: Using American Social Media Stars for Election Meddling

Russia is increasingly turning to American social media influencers to covertly influence voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. U.S. officials revealed criminal charges against former employees of Russian media outlet RT, who funded a U.S. political media company to propagate Russian-friendly narratives. This strategy aims to exploit societal divisions and question U.S. government effectiveness.

U.S. officials have accused Russia of using American social media influencers to covertly sway voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Criminal charges announced on Wednesday identify former employees of Russian media outlet RT as funding a U.S.-based political media company to promote Russian-friendly narratives.

The strategy, widely viewed by American security agencies as a preferred tactic, aims to enhance the authenticity of foreign psychological operations. These efforts typically seek to inflame societal divisions and highlight partisan talking points while questioning the U.S. government's role in global security, according to intelligence officials.

On Wednesday, the Justice Department unveiled charges against two former RT employees involved in a scheme to funnel $10 million to American conservative influencers through a political media company. The indictment reveals that the influencers, unaware of the foreign funding, shared content aligning with Russian priorities, raising concerns about the covert infiltration of Russian propaganda in U.S. elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)