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Indictment names Tim Pool among influencers tied to covert Russian operation

journalismJul 24, 202631846

An indictment filed Wednesday alleges a Tennessee-based content company secretly received nearly $10 million from employees of RT, the Russian state media outlet, to produce English-language videos that U.S. prosecutors say aligned with Kremlin interests. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Russia used state media to enlist unwitting American influencers to amplify U.S. domestic divisions ahead of the 2024 election. The indictment links six conservative influencers to the company, naming Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson, but the Justice Department does not allege wrongdoing by the influencers and says some were given false information about the funding source. Tim Pool and Benny Johnson posted statements saying they were victims and denied wrongdoing; Rubin shared Johnson’s statement. Two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act; both are at large and it was not immediately clear if they have lawyers. U.S. officials said this indictment is the most detailed account so far of Moscow’s efforts to exploit influencer popularity and it comes as authorities continue to probe foreign interference ahead of the 2024 vote.

Alexander Clarkson
@aphclarkson.bsky.social

Watching Tim Pool and Loomer's recent rapid evolution does leave you wondering how much Gulf state money underpins the American podcast industrial complex

1703h ago
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