Russia's playbook for US elections

Russia has interfered in US elections since 2015, initially to sow discord and damage Clinton, then to actively boost Trump's campaign. The Senate Intelligence Committee confirmed Putin's goals included helping Trump win in 2016.

“Russia's interventions in the 2020 and 2024 elections were all aimed at harming the Democrats and helping Trump.”

US interference in Russia is minimal

While the US ran covert election operations during the Cold War, there's no evidence of recent US interference in Russia. Russia's closed society with no free media makes it harder for information operations to take root.

Ukraine war shifted Russian focus

After Putin's February 2022 invasion, Russian disinformation pivoted from Ukraine narratives to the 2024 US election. False stories about Zelenskyy buying yachts and US bioweapons labs were amplified by Tucker Carlson and Tulsi Gabbard.

The Tim Walz smear campaign

A Russian operative named John Mark Dougan created fake news sites and posted a baseless allegation that Tim Walz inappropriately touched a Kazakhstan exchange student. The story went viral after MAGA influencers Jack Posobiec and Candace Owens amplified it.

Fake news sites with real-sounding names

Dougan set up phony websites including The Boston Times, the New York News Daily, and the Miami Chronicle to spread the false Walz allegation. These fake outlets made the disinformation appear credible to social media users.

The Tenet Media money trail

Russian state propaganda outlet RT funneled 10 million dollars to MAGA influencers including Benny Johnson and Tim Pool. The influencers claimed they didn't know the unusually large payments came from Moscow.

Real Americans amplify false narratives

The most effective disinformation campaigns produce false stories that authentic Americans then spread. Russian disinfo slips into social media and gets amplified by MAGA influencers and Republican officials.

“The best disinformation ops produce false narratives that become embraced and spread by authentic accounts, that is, real Americans.”

Putin wants Trump in power

Putin supports Trump because he weakens Western alliances, cuts Ukraine aid, denigrates NATO, and undermines American democracy. Trump has sided with Putin on Ukraine and damaged US credibility worldwide.

“Putin's key goal is to weaken and divide the Western alliance. Trump is single-handedly doing that.”

Trump weakens US globally

Trump has cut Ukraine assistance, threatened Canada, declared intent to grab Greenland, and denigrated American democracy. Countries are pulling investments out of the US and American military power is weakened.

Putin's message aligns with Trump

Trump denigrates American democracy, which reinforces Putin's core message that democracy is weak and autocratic leadership is necessary for national strength. This ideological alignment serves Putin's interests.

Russia sows discord and chaos

Russia's goal is both specific and broad: help Trump while increasing discord and conflict in America. This dual strategy weakens the US from within while advancing Putin's preferred candidate.

How to stop disinformation

Social media platforms could moderate better, but more importantly, political operatives and influencers need to behave responsibly. Everyone should be more discerning about what they share and amplify.