DOJ Alleges MAGA Media Group Is Backed by Russian Money

"A media company matching the description of Tenet Media, which hosts six MAGA commentators, allegedly received $10 million from Russian sources, according to an indictment."

Tip of the iceberg:

David Gilbert
@daithaigilbert
The Tim Pool/Tenet Media story is obviously fascinating.

But...

An FBI affidavit unsealed this week says the Russians are maintaining an active list of 2,800 influencers, 600 of whom are in the US

The FBI has not released the list

Who else is on it?
x.com

DOJ: Russia Aimed Propaganda at Gamers, Minorities to Swing 2024 Election

Newly unsealed court documents reveal in unprecedented detail a campaign called the Good Old USA Project, which Russian authorities believed could impact the US election.

One of the key aspects of the Kremlin's campaign is also to engage with influencers. According to the FBI's affidavit, Gambashidze's company "extensively monitors and collects information about a large number of media organizations and social media influencers."

According to the Good Old USA project document, the Kremlin was seeking to work with influencers who are "proponents of traditional values, who stand up for ending the war in Ukraine and peaceful relations between the US and Russia, and who are ready to get involved in the promotion of the project narratives."

Among the types of influencers listed as possible collaborators are actors, politicians, media representatives, activists, and clergymen.

The affidavit references one document maintained by the Social Design Agency, which is not included in the unsealed court documents, that contains a list of more than 2,800 people identified as influencers. While this list is global, US-based influencers account for around 20 percent of the accounts being monitored, including many US lawmakers, acccording to an analysis of the list by the FBI.

www.wired.com

... Russia's efforts to influence the US election are more sophisticated than in past cycles, a US intelligence official said, warning the country's activities go well beyond an alleged plot revealed in a Justice Department indictment this week.

Moscow's tactics include targeting US swing states using artificial intelligence and influence-for-hire firms, and amplifying divisive narratives, according to the official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. ...