Multiple assessments from the U.S. intelligence community, independent researchers, and a CBS News analysis suggest that Russian disinformation groups were behind baseless claims targeting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. These claims falsely accuse him of sexually assaulting his students while he was a high school teacher. At least four separate claims have been spread on social media platforms, including X, owned by Elon Musk. Two of the claims appear to be directly linked to a Kremlin-aligned troll farm known as Storm-1516, according to Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University. A report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also confirmed that Russian disinformation groups were involved in spreading false information targeting Walz’s earlier career.
The initial claim emerged during a Rumble livestream on Oct. 5, where an anonymous man alleged that Walz abused him when he was a student in the Future Leaders Exchange Program in Minnesota from 2004 to 2005. The man, whose voice was altered, was interviewed by John Mark Dougan, a former Florida sheriff’s deputy living in Russia with suspected ties to disinformation campaigns. The U.S. State Department and FLEX have no record of any student matching the alleged victim’s details. Other claims included allegations of inappropriate behavior on trips to China and misconduct at a concert in 1995. A man claiming to be a former high school student also accused Walz of assault in 1997, but investigations revealed inconsistencies and discrepancies in these claims.
The disinformation pattern observed in these claims points to a coordinated effort by groups like Storm-1516 to promote false narratives through a process known as “narrative laundering.” This involves presenting false claims in a way that appears credible, often using individuals who claim to be victims of the alleged misconduct. The video alleging sexual assault by Walz was determined to be a “cheap fake” by manipulation expert Hany Farid, suggesting that impersonation was involved in creating the false narrative. Storm-1516 has a history of spreading disinformation, including false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris, and has recently shifted focus to target the Harris-Walz campaign.
Researchers and analysts believe that the objective of these disinformation campaigns is to sow discord, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and create confusion and division among the public. By amplifying baseless allegations against political figures like Walz, these groups aim to influence public opinion and erode confidence in the electoral process. Efforts to combat disinformation involve collaboration between intelligence agencies, social media platforms, and independent researchers to identify and expose false narratives and the actors behind them. The evolving tactics of disinformation groups require ongoing vigilance and coordinated responses to protect the integrity of information and democratic processes.
