2 months ago
18
As the
US presidential election
draws closer,
Russia
is ramping up its efforts to influence the outcome, targeting Donald Trump’s bid against
Vice President Kamala Harris
. According to the report by US Today, recent revelations from US intelligence officials indicate a sophisticated
interference
operation involving both unwitting and "witting" American people.
'Unprecedented efforts'
In a detailed 75-minute briefing with reporters, senior US officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) unveiled the scope of Russia’s campaign to sway the 2024 election.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly said that this interference is far-reaching, extending beyond the recent indictment of Russian operatives who allegedly orchestrated a $10 million scheme to spread disinformation through fake media companies.
'Putin's support for Harris: A smokescreen?'
One notable aspect of the briefing was the confirmation that Russian President Vladimir Putin is actively attempting to support Trump’s campaign. The officials dismissed Putin’s recent public comments, in which he jokingly claimed to support Harris, as disinformation. “Putin’s statements are not reflective of Russia’s covert actions,” said an ODNI official, drawing parallels to his previous false assurances about not invading Ukraine.
The sophisticated playbook
The briefing revealed a range of advanced tactics employed by Russia. These include leveraging well-known US media personalities to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives, a significant step up from previous methods that were more easily identifiable as foreign propaganda. The officials described this strategy as a form of "laundering" Russian messages through influential American figures to lend them credibility.
Efforts to influence down-ballot races
In addition to targeting the presidential election, Russia is also focusing on down-ballot races. The ODNI highlighted that the scale and sophistication of the interference efforts are unprecedented, surpassing previous attempts in breadth and complexity.
US campaigns briefed on interference
Both the Trump and Harris campaigns were offered briefings about these foreign influence efforts, though it remains unclear whether they have accepted these offers. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed the latest allegations, asserting that “Putin endorsed Kamala Harris,” a reference to Putin's ironic remarks. Trump himself has labeled the recent indictments as part of a "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" intended to benefit Democrats.
Iran and China’s roles
The briefing also noted ongoing interference efforts by Iran and China, with Iran purportedly working against Trump and in favor of Harris. However, the focus remains on Russia due to its extensive and sophisticated operations.
Unwitting influencers and legal actions
Recent charges against Russian operatives and affiliated entities, including Tenet Media, reveal a complex network of influencers and media figures who may have been unwitting participants in the Russian scheme. Some of these influencers, including Tim Pool and Benny Johnson, have claimed they were duped by the Russian operation.
'Russia’s strategy to undermine US elections'
The ODNI’s election security update confirmed that while no foreign actor has been found to tamper with election machinery, Russia’s strategy aims to amplify divisive rhetoric and influence voter preferences. “Russia is looking to weaken the US and undermine support for Ukraine through its election interference,” the report stated.
Continued investigation and response
The investigation into these interference efforts is ongoing, with the Justice Department seizing 32 domains used for spreading Russian misinformation. The campaign's evolving tactics highlight the need for vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of US elections.
