In a complex and far-reaching attempt to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election, federal officials have charged two employees of the Russian state media outlet RT with orchestrating a covert propaganda campaign. According to U.S. authorities, the Russian operatives funneled millions of dollars into a scheme that involved American social media influencers, who were allegedly unaware of their role in spreading Kremlin-backed disinformation.
Federal prosecutors revealed the charges on Wednesday, accusing RT employees Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva of using a Tennessee-based company to finance and direct content aimed at U.S. voters. The company, Tenet Media, reportedly contracted with prominent right-wing influencers, producing thousands of videos that garnered millions of views across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the significance of the case, highlighting that the influencers—some of whom command large audiences—were likely unaware of the funding’s Russian origins. “The company never disclosed to the influencers or their millions of followers its ties to RT and the Russian government,” Garland stated.
Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Authorities allege the two funneled nearly $10 million through Tenet Media, which was founded in 2022 by Canadian YouTuber Lauren Chen and her husband, Liam Donovan. The company’s mission was to create politically charged content that echoed the Kremlin’s interests.
Details in the indictment revealed that the influencers involved were not informed of the Russian ties. Instead, they were told that a wealthy European banker named Eduard Grigoriann was funding the project—a persona the indictment describes as fictional.
The content produced by Tenet Media was not directly tied to Russian propaganda but often promoted divisive topics in line with the Kremlin’s goals. Videos reportedly covered issues like immigration, transgender rights, censorship, and criticism of prominent U.S. political figures, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The content, while diverse in viewpoint, was consistent in its aim to exacerbate U.S. domestic divisions, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that Afanasyeva exerted significant control over the content, pushing for narratives favorable to Russia. In one instance, she allegedly directed the company to blame Ukraine for a terrorist attack in Moscow, despite ISIS having claimed responsibility.
The charges against Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva come amid heightened concerns about foreign interference in the 2024 U.S. election. U.S. intelligence officials have warned that efforts by Russia and other foreign actors, including Iran, to sway public opinion and influence electoral outcomes are on the rise. Just this week, federal authorities seized 32 domains linked to separate Russian influence operations.
The Justice Department also pointed to a broader pattern of interference involving artificial intelligence, with Russia using AI-powered tools to create fake social media profiles to spread disinformation—a tactic that underscores the growing sophistication of foreign influence campaigns.
Several of the influencers involved in the Tenet Media scheme, including Tim Pool and Benny Johnson, have denied any knowledge of the company’s Russian connections. Pool, a popular YouTuber, asserted that he maintained full editorial control over his content, writing in a statement, “Should these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived.”
Benny Johnson, another prominent right-wing commentator, similarly distanced himself from the scandal, stating that he had been pitched by a media startup and negotiated a standard contract. His most recent video for Tenet Media was posted just days before the indictment.
As the U.S. grapples with growing foreign efforts to interfere in its democratic processes, the latest revelations highlight the complexity and reach of modern propaganda. The use of unwitting influencers with established followings represents a sophisticated evolution in disinformation tactics, posing significant challenges for both the government and the media industry as they work to protect the integrity of the 2024 election.
