 has alleged that several prominent right-wing social media influencers were unknowingly part of a Russian operation designed to sway the 2024 US presidential elections, CNN reported.){kind=link}
Tenet Media, launched last year, bills itself as a platform for “unorthodox opinions.”
New Delhi:
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has alleged that several prominent right-wing social media influencers were unwittingly part of a Russian operation designed to influence the 2024 US presidential election, CNN reported. The influencers, who collectively reach millions of Americans, were allegedly used as “mouthpieces” for Russian propaganda without being aware of the foreign influence behind their financial support.
According to the report, court documents unsealed this week revealed that Russian state media funneled nearly $10 million through a Tennessee-based online media company, identified by CNN as Tenet Media. The company employed well-known right-wing commentators including Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Lauren Southern, Tayler Hansen, Matt Christiansen and Dave Rubin. While these individuals were not directly accused of wrongdoing, the indictment has shed light on how they may have unwittingly promoted Russian interests.
Two Russian state media employees have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and money laundering. The Justice Department says Russia's goal was to promote narratives that aligned with Kremlin goals, such as promoting domestic political division, weakening U.S. support for Ukraine, and supporting conservative figures like Donald Trump.
These individuals, unaware of their role in Russian operations, were described in Cold War terms as “useful idiots.”
Tenet Media
Founded last year, Tenet Media presents itself as a platform for “unorthodox opinions” on Western political and cultural issues. It was founded in 2022 by conservative Canadian YouTuber Lauren Chen and her husband Liam Donovan. The company has not responded to the allegations.
Its members include several former traditional media journalists turned freelance creators, such as Tim Pool, who previously worked with Vice, and Benny Johnson, formerly of BuzzFeed and the Independent Journal Review. The outlet has grown in influence, hosting shows with far-right personalities and interviewing high-profile figures such as Donald Trump.
Although the influencers claimed they retained full editorial control over their content, the Justice Department maintains that the content they produced served Russian interests. According to court documents, employees of Russian state media RT sought to exploit these influencers’ vast audiences by amplifying pro-Russian narratives, including criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine and divisive debates over LGBTQ issues.
While none of the commentators have been charged, the Justice Department alleges they received payments from Kremlin-controlled sources to promote content that benefited Russian interests. The FBI has contacted at least three of the influencers to grant voluntary interviews.
What the influencers said
Tim Pool, host of The Culture War podcast, responded to the allegations by saying he was a victim. “If these allegations prove true, I and the other personalities and commentators were misled and are victims. I cannot speak for anyone else in the company about what they do or what they are ordered to do,” Pool told his 2.1 million followers on X.
My statement on the allegations and the Department of Justice's indictment
If these allegations turn out to be true, I and the other celebrities and commentators were misled and are victims. I cannot speak for anyone else in the company about what they do or what they are ordered to do…
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) September 4, 2024
“I am disturbed by the allegations in today's indictment, which make clear that I and other influencers were victims of this alleged scheme,” said Benny Johnson, who has 2.7 million followers on X.
A statement on today's leaked Justice Department indictment:
A year ago, a media startup approached my company about providing content as an independent contractor. Our lawyers negotiated a standard agreement, which was later terminated. We are concerned about the allegations being made today…
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 4, 2024
Dave Rubin, host of The Rubin Report, said his show with Tenet Media ended months ago. “I and other commentators fell victim to this scheme. I knew absolutely nothing about any of this fraudulent activity,” Rubin told his 1.5 million followers on X.
Statement on the Department of Justice's indictment:
These allegations clearly show that I and other commentators were victims of this scheme.
I knew absolutely nothing about any of these fraudulent activities. Period.
'People of the Internet' was a silly show that featured viral videos that ended up… image.twitter.com/KQHYDUi3ot
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) September 4, 2024
Action by the Department of Justice
The Justice Department has charged two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the Agency reported.
The indictment accuses these individuals of overseeing funding and editorial operations while secretly directing Tenet Media’s output to promote Russian interests. Despite the influencers’ claims of independence, federal prosecutors say much of the content was strategically aligned with Russian efforts to amplify divisions within the United States.
The indictment also alleges the elaborate lengths to which the Russian operation went, including the creation of a fake Hungarian investor to conceal RT's involvement and the high salaries paid to influencers who allegedly received up to $100,000 per video.
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