The Justice Department has alleged that some of the biggest stars in right-wing social media were unknowingly part of a Russian operation to influence the 2024 US election. Court documents revealed that Russian state media producers funneled nearly $10 million to an unnamed Tennessee-based online media company, Tenet Media, which features high-profile right-wing commentators such as Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Lauren Southern, Tayler Hansen, Matt Christiansen, and Dave Rubin. Two Russian state media employees were charged with conspiracy and money laundering.
The indictment revealed that the Kremlin paid these right-wing personalities millions of dollars to promote conservative narratives that aligned with Russian interests. The influencers had significant followings on social media platforms, such as YouTube, and had deals varying with Tenet Media, with some receiving substantial payments. The indictment highlighted how open the new media ecosystem is to infiltration, with independent creators operating with little transparency and few guardrails.
Many of the commentators associated with Tenet Media had established online presences in conservative media before joining the network. Some, like Tim Pool and Benny Johnson, had careers at mainstream media outlets before transitioning to right-wing influencers. The commentators had millions of subscribers on YouTube and other platforms, extending their influence beyond video hosting sites.
The Justice Department detailed how the Russian-funded narratives supported Kremlin goals, including promoting views that would weaken U.S. opposition to Russian interests like the ongoing war in Ukraine. Some of the influencers were recorded pushing divisive narratives, fear mongering about migrant gangs, and boosting the candidacy of former President Donald Trump, who was supported by Russia in the 2020 election.
The indictment also revealed instances where the Russian funders directed Tenet to push specific videos, including a possible incident involving former Fox News host Tucker Carlson visiting a grocery store in Russia. The ultimate goal was to exploit divisive narratives that would further the Kremlin’s objectives. While some commentators denied knowledge of the Russian funding and asserted their editorial independence, others later admitted to being contacted by the FBI as possible victims of a crime.
The Russian government has a history of tapping Americans for disinformation and influence operations, aiming to stoke divisions in the U.S. and promote Russia’s interests. With the rise of social media, Russia has successfully leveraged platforms to infiltrate American social movements on both the right and left, using real Americans as unwitting agents. The situation highlights the importance of due diligence in media partnerships and the potential risks of unwittingly aiding foreign interests.
