DOJ: Russia Funded Right-Wing Media in Propaganda Plot

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an indictment on Wednesday accusing Russia of funding a Tennessee-based media company as part of a scheme to push pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation in the U.S. According to the indictment, the Russian government funneled millions into the unnamed company, which is believed to be Tenet Media, a media network known for hosting prominent right-wing commentators. The alleged scheme involved creating content that mirrored Russian government interests, aiming to deepen divisions in the U.S. by amplifying domestic issues through social media platforms.

Tenet Media’s website lists several influential right-wing figures as part of its talent pool, including Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Dave Rubin, Lauren Southern, Taylor Hansen, and Matt Christiansen. These personalities boast significant followings, particularly on YouTube, where their videos primarily focus on conservative viewpoints and ongoing culture wars in the West. According to the DOJ, two employees from Russian state media covertly funneled $10 million into Tenet Media to create and distribute English-language videos that aligned with Russia’s geopolitical objectives.

The DOJ’s indictment, while detailed in its description of the alleged scheme, does not accuse the influencers involved of any direct wrongdoing. Instead, it suggests that they were unknowingly deceived by the media company’s founders and the Russian operatives involved. According to the indictment, when questioned about the source of the company’s funding, the founders falsely claimed that the backing came from a private investor named “Eduard Grigoriann”—a fabricated persona created to disguise the Russian origin of the funds.

Although the indictment doesn’t name any of the influencers directly, it identifies two individuals referred to as Commentator-1 and Commentator-2, who together had millions of YouTube subscribers. One of the influencers, Tim Pool, whose YouTube channel has 1.37 million subscribers, responded to the allegations on X (formerly Twitter). He clarified that his podcast, “The Culture War,” was only licensed by Tenet Media and that he was not aware of its funding source. Pool condemned the alleged scheme, stating that if the accusations were true, he and others were deceived and victimized by the situation, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin “a scumbag.”

Benny Johnson, another influential commentator with 2.39 million subscribers on YouTube, also commented on the indictment via X. He revealed that his legal team had negotiated a contract with a media startup last year, which was later terminated. Johnson expressed his concerns over the indictment, highlighting that it indicated he and other influencers had fallen victim to the alleged Russian influence operation. He further stated that he was disturbed by the DOJ’s findings.

The DOJ’s indictment follows years of scrutiny over Russia’s attempts to influence U.S. politics. Investigations by U.S. intelligence agencies and lawmakers, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, found that Russia had launched a widespread campaign of disinformation, hacking, and other tactics to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This campaign included hacking the Democratic National Committee and using social media platforms to sway public opinion in favor of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. In 2018, a grand jury indicted 12 Russian military intelligence officers for their roles in these efforts, including the hacking of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

The Senate Intelligence Committee later released its own report in 2020, which confirmed many of Mueller’s findings. The report found that Russian actors had not only attempted to sway the election in Trump’s favor but had also carried out an extensive social media campaign aimed at deepening political and cultural divides within the U.S. These efforts were part of a broader Russian strategy to undermine democratic institutions and weaken the U.S. both domestically and internationally.

The DOJ’s latest indictment underscores the continuing threat of foreign interference in U.S. politics, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Attorney General Merrick Garland, in announcing the indictment, reaffirmed the DOJ’s commitment to combating such efforts, stating that the department “will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts.” Garland also noted that the DOJ’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.

In a related move, the DOJ also announced the seizure of 32 internet domains allegedly used by Russia to carry out malign influence operations. These websites were reportedly used as part of a “Doppelganger” campaign that sought to spread Russian propaganda and disinformation, with the goal of undermining international support for Ukraine and influencing upcoming elections, including the 2024 U.S. presidential race. The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Russian organizations, including the non-profit Autonomous Non-Profit Organization (ANO) Dialog and state media outlet RT, which was accused of conducting similar disinformation campaigns.

As the investigation continues, questions remain about the full extent of the Russian influence operation and its impact on U.S. politics. While the influencers linked to Tenet Media have distanced themselves from the allegations, the indictment serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by foreign adversaries to manipulate public opinion and exploit social media platforms to further their geopolitical agendas. The DOJ’s actions highlight the importance of vigilance in the face of such threats and the need for continued efforts to protect democratic institutions from foreign interference.