- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sat, 07 Sep 2024 05:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Days after reports emerged about Russia allegedly spending USD 10 million (Rs 83 crore) to pay US-based influencers via fake media companies to promote Russian narratives to American voters, an intelligence official disclosed on Friday that Russia is using a combination of secretly funded groups and its state-run media to heighten domestic divisions in the US and increase support for former President Donald Trump ahead of the November election.
During a 75-minute briefing with reporters, senior officials leading the US efforts against interference from Russia, Iran, China, and other foreign adversaries shared the related details.
According to the official quoted by Reuters, RT "has built and used networks of U.S. and other Western personalities to create and disseminate Russia-friendly narratives."
"These actors, among others, are supporting Moscow's efforts to influence voter preferences in favour of the former president (Trump) and diminish the prospects of the vice president (Kamala Harris)."
When asked for a comment, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung responded by referencing a humorous remark made by Russian President Putin, who joked on Thursday that he supported Vice President Kamala Harris, as reported by USA Today.
Recently, US claimed that Russia is conducting a multi-faceted disinformation campaign aimed at influencing voters before Election Day. The operation reportedly involved USD 10 million in funds channelled through shell companies connected to the Russian broadcaster RT news agency to support Tenet Media, a right-wing outlet in Tennessee that has since shut down.
“RT has built and used networks of US and other Western personalities to create and disseminate Russia-friendly narratives while trying to mask the content in authentic Americans’ free speech,” said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who spoke on the condition of anonymity per ground rules of a media briefing on election threats.