Kyler Alvord
Updated on: October 7, 2024 8:25 pm GMT
Key Details Emerge in Alleged Russian Plot Involving Conservative Influencers
Benny Johnson, a prominent conservative commentator, expressed concern over recent allegations connecting him and other right-wing influencers to a purported Russian plot aimed at meddling in the 2024 United States elections. The allegations surfaced following the release of a federal indictment that charges Russian state broadcaster RT, formerly known as Russia Today, with engaging in covert influence operations within the U.S. As part of these operations, it is alleged that RT made a significant payment of $10 million to a Tennessee-based firm, identified as Tenet Media, which is accused of disseminating content infused with hidden Russian government messaging.
Tenet Media, founded in January 2022 by Canadian YouTuber Lauren Chen and her husband, Liam Donovan, employs several high-profile conservative influencers, including Tim Pool, David Rubin, and Benny Johnson himself. The indictment implicates these individuals as “unwitting” participants in a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Russian operatives aimed at creating divisions within American society.
The indictment details that the aforementioned influencers were reportedly compensated up to $400,000 per month for producing videos promoting right-wing narratives on various issues, including immigration and the economy, all while remaining unaware of the organization’s Russian affiliations.
Alleged Ties to Russian Propaganda
The Justice Department’s indictment specifically names two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, who allegedly oversaw operations related to the distribution of content created by Tenet Media. The court documents indicate that the videos produced were manipulated to align with the interests of the Russian government, particularly in relation to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
According to the indictment, the content produced often featured themes consistent with RT’s agenda to amplify U.S. domestic divisions, thus weakening opposition to Russia’s geopolitical interests. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that RT had utilized Tenet Media as a disguised instrument to execute its disinformation campaign without the knowledge of the influencers involved.
In reaction to the accusations, Benny Johnson and his fellow conservatives took to social media to assert that they had been misled. Johnson expressed his dismay over the indictment, stating, “If these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims,” while emphasizing that he believed he maintained editorial control over his content.
Tim Pool echoed Johnson’s sentiments, adding that the charges, if validated, place him and others in a position of victimhood rather than collaboration. Meanwhile, David Rubin stated that he had severed ties with Tenet months prior and maintained that he had no knowledge of any dubious activities occurring within the media firm.
Tenet Media’s Operations and Influencer Payments
The indictment reveals that Tenet Media produced approximately 2,000 videos that collectively garnered more than 16 million views on platforms like YouTube. Influencers reportedly negotiated substantial compensation within the firm, with allegations suggesting that three prominent personalities collectively received payouts totaling $8.7 million. In an intriguing twist, Russian operatives are alleged to have created a fictitious investor to further entrench their influence within Tenet Media, offering incentives that raised suspicion among the company’s founders.
Notably, the indictment suggests that employees frequently raised concerns regarding the nature of their assignments and the potential ramifications of their connections to Russian funding. One disgruntled producer reportedly questioned the merits of posting pro-Russian content, indicating a growing unease that permeated the organization as the implications of their work became clearer.
Response from Influencers
As the news spread, a handful of influencers linked to Tenet Media responded to the allegations through livestreams and social media posts. While some maintained that they had never been instructed what messages to deliver in their content, others expressed skepticism about the revelation of their potential ties to Russian government interference. Influencer Matt Christiansen argued that maintaining editorial control over their messages contradicted the notion of being “unwittingly duped” into disseminating foreign propaganda.
The discourse on social media transitioned toward a focus on the implications of the allegations for the influencers’ reputations and their relationship with the media landscape, as many sought to distance themselves from any associations with a plot they assert they were not privy to.
YouTube’s Action Against Tenet Media
As part of the fallout from the indictment against Tenet Media, YouTube took decisive action by removing multiple channels associated with the company, including those belonging to Lauren Chen. This action came after a comprehensive review of the company’s operations, as YouTube aimed to combat any potential influence operations linked to foreign entities.
Chen, who has previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and been critical of U.S. President Joe Biden, did not directly respond to the allegations regarding Tenet Media or the subsequent channel deletions. RT had previously faced scrutiny in connection with U.S. election interference, and the Justice Department’s allegations further integrate them into ongoing concerns about foreign influence in American politics.
RT’s Warning and U.S.-Russia Relations
In light of the escalating accusations against its media apparatus, Russian officials issued stern warnings about the potential consequences of the U.S. crackdown on Russian media assets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized Washington’s actions as part of a broader “information campaign” ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, threatening retaliatory measures that could “make everyone shudder.”
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the ministry, indicated that retaliatory steps would specifically target American media as tensions continue to mount over allegations of foreign interference. The existing framework of U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations appears strained, exacerbated by the alleged interference plots linked to election dynamics.
U.S. officials are looking into possible Russian interference in the upcoming presidential election. This situation is important because it affects right-wing influencers and their media platforms. It shows how complicated the connections are between global politics, media influence, and changes happening in American politics.
