Russian actors were behind a widely circulated video falsely depicting mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania, U.S. officials confirmed. The video was debunked by local election officials and law enforcement within three hours after it started circulating on social media. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a statement indicating that the video was “manufactured and amplified” by Russian actors as part of a broader effort to raise questions about the integrity of the U.S. election and sow division among Americans.
The quick debunking of the video demonstrated how election officials have become more adept at countering false narratives in recent years amid growing distrust in the voting process. Although the video was swiftly identified as fake, its detailed portrayal of ballots in a crucial county in the 2024 presidential race highlighted the ongoing efforts of foreign actors to undermine faith in the U.S. voting process. Researchers linked the video to a Russian disinformation network known as Storm-1516 or CopyCop, which has a history of spreading false claims about political figures.
The video, which showed a person purportedly destroying Trump-marked ballots while leaving Harris-marked ballots untouched, was attributed to a user on a social platform known to amplify narratives from the Russian disinformation network. The use of a Black actor with a foreign accent was noted as a tactic to exploit racial tensions and inflame divisions within American society. After the video was exposed as fake, the user who shared it deleted the post and shared other accounts denouncing it.
Election officials in Bucks County and law enforcement agencies quickly responded to citizen complaints and social media reports about the video. District Attorney Jennifer Schorn led an investigation that led to the conclusion that the video was fabricated, with two attorneys assigned to screen allegations of fraud leading up to Election Day. Both Republicans and Democrats in the county condemned the video as disinformation aimed at intimidating voters and casting doubt on the mail-in ballot system. Pennsylvania Sen. Steve Santarsiero characterized the video as an attempt to undermine the presidential election outcome.
Despite concerns about misinformation and disinformation, officials expressed confidence in the swift response to debunking the video and other harmful falsehoods during the election cycle. The effectiveness of the response was credited to the vigilance of citizens, the cooperation between law enforcement and election officials, and the commitment to upholding the integrity of the voting process. While acknowledging the existence of criminal entities that seek to undermine trust, officials emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and reassured by the system’s ability to address fraudulent activities.
Overall, the incident involving the Russian-manipulated video in Bucks County underscored the ongoing challenges posed by foreign actors seeking to influence U.S. elections through disinformation campaigns. The incident also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government agencies, election officials, law enforcement, and the public in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. As the country navigates through the final stretch of the presidential race, the episode served as a reminder of the need to remain vigilant against efforts that aim to destabilize trust in democracy and democratic institutions.
