Right Wing Influencers Secretly Paid By Russia

Summary

The US Justice Department has indicted two Russia Today TV network employees for allegedly funneling $10 million to right-wing YouTubers to promote Kremlin narratives. The indictment names Tenant Media and influencers like Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, and Benny Johnson, who claim ignorance of the funds' origin. The video explores the scheme, the influencers' potential culpability, and the legal implications, including possible FARA violations and the role of social media in spreading disinformation.

Takeaways

• 😲 The U.S. Justice Department indicted two individuals from Russia Today (RT) for allegedly funneling $10 million to right-wing YouTubers to promote pro-Russia narratives.
• 📰 Tenant Media and its influencers, including Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, and Benny Johnson, are implicated in the indictment for potentially unknowingly participating in a scheme to push Kremlin-friendly content.
• 💸 Some influencers received substantial payments, with one individual allegedly getting $100,000 per episode, raising questions about their awareness and ethical considerations.
• 🤔 The influencers claim they were unaware of the Russian funding and were deceived, a narrative that is being scrutinized given the large sums involved and the content's alignment with Russian interests.
• 📜 The indictment specifically names Constantine Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva for their roles in operating covert distribution channels for RT in the U.S.
• 🏛️ Russia Today, as a state-controlled broadcaster, is accused of using shell corporations to fund and direct media operations without disclosing its involvement, in violation of FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act).
• 🔍 The U.S. government seized over 24 internet domains allegedly directed by the Russian government, indicating a broader scope of influence operations.
• 📊 The financial model of Tenant Media was primarily reliant on funds from RT, with foreign wire transfers constituting nearly 90% of all deposits into the company's bank account.
• 🚫 YouTube has taken action against Tenant Media by removing its channel post-indictment, citing violations of community guidelines.
• 📘 The script also discusses the potential legal repercussions under FARA and money laundering charges, as well as the broader context of Russian influence campaigns, including 'Operation Doppelganger'.

Q & A

What was the main allegation against the right-wing media personalities mentioned in the script?

The main allegation was that they were spreading pro-Russia misinformation and were paid by Russia through illegal means, specifically by two individuals working for Russia Today (RT) who funneled $10 million to these influencers.

Which two individuals from Russia Today were indicted by the Justice Department?

The two individuals indicted were Constantine Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, who allegedly worked for Russia Today and were involved in funneling money to right-wing YouTubers.

What was the role of Tenant Media in the indictment?

Tenant Media was the Tennessee-based company that received funds from Russia Today through shell corporations and produced videos for social media platforms without disclosing RT's involvement. It was founded by Liam Donovan and Lauren Chen.

What were the claims made by Tim Pool and Benny Johnson regarding their involvement?

Tim Pool and Benny Johnson claimed they were unwitting victims and had no knowledge of the fraudulent activity or the true source of the money they received. They suggested they were deceived and that no one had editorial control over their content.

How did the government's investigation lead to actions against the influencers' online presence?

As a result of the investigation, YouTube removed Tenant Media's channel, stating it violated community guidelines. Additionally, the influencers may have faced repercussions for not disclosing material connections or sponsors.

What was the 'Good Old U.S.A' plan mentioned in the script?

The 'Good Old U.S.A' plan, also known as Operation Doppelganger, was a Russian influence campaign aimed at exploiting societal divisions in the U.S. to secure a Trump victory by leveraging far-right conspiracies and racist stereotypes.

What was the significance of the seized internet domains in the investigation?

The seized internet domains were allegedly directed by the Russian government and were part of a covert campaign to interfere with and influence the outcome of U.S. elections.

Why might the influencers not be charged with a crime despite the allegations?

The influencers might not be charged with a crime because the indictment suggests they were deceived by Tenant Media founders and Russia Today about the source of the funding, and the Department of Justice did not charge them with any crime.

What is the legal requirement under FARA that the indictment suggests was violated?

FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) requires individuals and entities engaging in certain activities on behalf of foreign governments to register with the Department of Justice and disclose their relationship and activities. The indictment suggests that the defendants conspired to violate FARA by acting as agents of Russia Today without registering.

What potential repercussions could the influencers face beyond legal charges?

Beyond legal charges, the influencers could face reputational damage, loss of credibility, and potential penalties from platforms like YouTube for violating community guidelines or terms of service related to transparency and disclosure of sponsorships.