Washington D.C. – The U.S. Justice Department has unveiled allegations that Russian state media secretly funneled millions of dollars to a U.S.-based media company, Tenet Media, to pay prominent right-wing influencers for creating content that amplified pro-Kremlin narratives. This operation, detailed in recent indictments, aimed to influence U.S. public opinion, particularly ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Influencers such as Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson were among those who produced content for the company, largely unaware of the illicit source of funding.
According to federal prosecutors, two employees of RT, the Russian state broadcaster, were instrumental in orchestrating the scheme, funneling nearly $10 million to Tenet Media. The founders of the Tennessee-based company, identified as Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, allegedly knew the funds originated from Russia, while the influencers themselves were reportedly deceived about the true source of their payments. The Justice Department considers the influencers as victims in this elaborate influence operation.
The revelations underscore a broader concern regarding the lack of transparency in political influencer payments across the U.S. Campaigns and political action committees (PACs) frequently utilize marketing agencies and "dark money" channels to compensate social media personalities, often bypassing clear disclosure requirements. This practice makes it challenging for the public to discern whether content is genuinely organic or a paid endorsement, affecting both conservative and liberal causes.
The issue of undisclosed payments to influencers has been a recurring subject of public inquiry. Crémieux, a social media commentator, recently posed the question on X, "Has anyone identified the firms that pay off right-wing influencers to go after people and policies?" Crémieux specifically cited past instances involving the American Beverage Association and Sarepta as examples of entities that have previously compensated individuals for influence, suggesting the use of intermediaries in such arrangements.
Regulatory bodies are beginning to address this transparency deficit; for instance, the Texas Ethics Commission recently moved to require influencers to disclose when they are paid for political posts. However, the complex web of intermediaries and the use of untraceable funds continue to pose significant challenges to ensuring full disclosure and maintaining the integrity of online political discourse.