Top U.S. intelligence officials revealed on Monday that the Kremlin is enlisting unwitting Americans and Russian PR firms to spread disinformation about the upcoming presidential election. This strategy aims to sway public opinion as the 2024 election draws near.
Warning to the Public
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) cautioned Americans to be cautious about what they read online. “Content on social media and other online platforms could be foreign propaganda, even if it seems to come from Americans or originates within the U.S.,” an ODNI spokesperson told reporters.
Evolving Propaganda Tactics
Recent political upheavals in the U.S. have led Russia, Iran, and China to revise their propaganda methods. Despite these adjustments, their goal remains the same: to flood the internet with misleading and inflammatory content to erode trust in the electoral system.
Russia’s Dominant Role
Russia is identified as the primary threat in the realm of election disinformation. While Iran is expanding its activities and China is taking a more cautious approach, Russian-affiliated groups are increasingly outsourcing propaganda tasks to marketing and PR firms in Russia. These firms help create misleading websites and social media profiles to advance Kremlin agendas.
In March, the U.S. imposed sanctions on two Russian companies involved in crafting fake websites and social media accounts to spread disinformation. This propaganda often targets electoral candidates, voting processes, and hot-button issues like immigration and crime.
Disinformation Amplified by Americans
The core aim of these disinformation campaigns is to trick Americans into spreading false information without realizing its origins. Fake news sites and AI-generated social media profiles are commonly used tactics. Americans, including tech companies, have sometimes unknowingly amplified these messages.
“Foreign influence actors are increasingly adept at masking their identity and using Americans to disseminate their narratives,” an ODNI official noted, accompanied by representatives from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
Heightened Risks and Concerns
Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has voiced concerns that the U.S. might be more vulnerable to foreign disinformation compared to the 2020 election. On Monday, he highlighted that this warning underscores how the U.S. election is a prime target for global adversaries.
“This warning also highlights the troubling extent to which foreign actors, particularly Russia, rely on both unwitting and willing Americans to spread foreign narratives in the U.S.,” Warner said.
Increased Threat Alerts
Officials monitoring foreign disinformation report a surge in alerts issued to political candidates, government leaders, and election offices compared to the 2022 cycle. Although specific numbers and recipients are not disclosed, the rise in alerts reflects a greater interest in the presidential race by foreign entities and improved efforts by the U.S. government to identify and address these threats.
Exploiting Political Events
Foreign actors are quick to exploit recent political events, such as the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside for Vice President Kamala Harris. After the attack on Trump, Russian disinformation spread claims linking Democratic rhetoric to the shooting and propagated unfounded conspiracy theories involving Biden and Ukraine.
“These pro-Russian voices attempted to connect the assassination attempt to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine,” reported the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab.
Russian propaganda has consistently aimed to support Trump and undermine support for Ukraine. Trump’s previous praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his perceived lack of support for NATO align with these objectives.
China’s Cautious Strategy
China, which previously engaged in a broad disinformation campaign before Taiwan’s recent election, is adopting a more cautious approach towards U.S. elections. While China might target congressional races with strong China-related stances, it is not expected to directly influence the presidential race. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, confirmed that China has no intention to meddle in U.S. politics.
Iran’s Aggressive Actions
Iran has taken a more assertive approach. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines revealed that Iran has covertly supported U.S. protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Iranian-linked groups posing as activists and funding some protest efforts. Iran opposes candidates likely to escalate tensions with Tehran, a category that includes Trump, who previously ended the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions.
