Russia Funds Right-Wing Influencers

🔵 Foreign Interference & Disinformation · Sep 4, 2024

Summary

The DOJ indicted two Russian nationals employed by RT (formerly Russia Today) for funneling nearly $10 million through shell companies to a Tennessee-based media company, identified in multiple reports as Tenet Media, to covertly produce pro-Russian content for American audiences. The scheme involved fake personas, laundered wire transfers, and coordinated talking points. RT’s editor-in-chief admitted the network had begun ‘guerilla operations’ after being banned in the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada. The influencers claim they were deceived and did not know the source of funds. The six named influencers were Matt Christiansen, Tayler Hansen, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern.