The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has alleged that several prominent right-wing social media influencers were unknowingly part of a Russian operation designed to influence the 2024 US presidential election, CNN reported. The influencers, who reached millions of Americans, were allegedly used as “mouthpieces” for Russian propaganda without knowing that foreign influence was behind their financial backing.
According to the report, court documents this week revealed that Russian state media invested nearly $10 million through a Tennessee-based online media company, which CNN identified as Tenet Media. The company employed well-known right-wing commentators such as Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Lauren Southern, Taylor Hansen, Matt Christiansen and Dave Rubin. Although these individuals were not directly accused of wrongdoing, the indictment has shed light on how they may have inadvertently promoted Russian interests.
Two employees of Russian state media were charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiring to launder money. The DOJ says Russia’s goal was to spread rhetoric consistent with the Kremlin’s objectives, such as fueling domestic political divisions, undermining US support for Ukraine, and promoting conservative figures such as Donald Trump.
These individuals, unaware of their role in Russian operations, were referred to in Cold War terms as “useful idiots.”
Tenet Media
Tenet Media, launched last year, bills itself as a platform for “dissenting views” 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 roster includes several former mainstream journalists who have become independent creators, such as Tim Pool, who previously worked with Vice, and Benny Johnson, who previously worked with BuzzFeed and the Independent Journal Review. The outlet has grown in influence, hosting shows featuring far-right personalities and interviewing high-profile figures such as Donald Trump.
Although the influencers claimed to maintain full editorial control over their content, the DOJ alleges that the content they produced served Russia’s interests. According to court documents, RT’s Russian state media staff sought to exploit these influencers’ vast audiences by amplifying pro-Russian narratives, including criticism of US support for Ukraine and divisive discussions of LGBTQ issues.
Although none of the commentators have been charged, the DOJ alleges they were paid by Kremlin-controlled sources to promote content that benefited Russian interests. At least three influencers have been contacted by the FBI for voluntary interviews.
What the influencers said
Tim Pool, host of The Culture War podcast, responded to the allegations, saying he was a victim. “If these allegations are proven to be true, then I as well as other personalities and commentators have been deceived and victimized. I cannot speak for anyone else at the company as to what they do or what instructions they have been given,” Pool told his 2.1 million followers on X.
My statement regarding the allegations and DOJ indictment
If these allegations are proven to be true, then I as well as other personalities and commentators have been deceived and victimized. I cannot speak for anyone else in the company as to what they do or what instructions they have been given…
—Tim Poole?? , (@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,” Benny Johnson, who has 2.7 million followers on Axe, said.
A statement on the DOJ indictment that leaked today:
A year ago, a media startup approached my company as an independent contractor to provide content. Our lawyers negotiated a standard, arms length deal, which was later terminated. We are troubled by today’s allegations…
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 4, 2024
Dave Rubin, host of The Rubin Report, claimed his show was cut months ago from a deal with Tenet Media. “I and other commentators were victims of this scheme. I had absolutely no knowledge of this fraudulent activity,” Rubin told his 1.5 million followers on X.
Statement on the DOJ indictment:
These allegations make it clear that I and other commentators were victims of this conspiracy.
I had absolutely no idea about this fraudulent activity.
‘People of the Internet’ was a silly show covering viral videos that ended with… pic.twitter.com/KQHYDUi3ot
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) September 4, 2024
Justice Department action
The Justice Department has charged two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, with conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the BBC reports.
The indictment accuses these individuals of overseeing funding and editorial operations while secretly directing Tenet Media’s output to advance Russian interests. Despite the influencers’ claims of independence, federal prosecutors claim much of the content was strategically aligned with Russian efforts to exacerbate divisions within the US.
The indictment also alleges the extent to which the Russian operation went, including creating a fake Hungarian investor to conceal RT’s involvement and paying influencers salaries allegedly as high as $100,000 per video.