A recent indictment filed by U.S. prosecutors revealed that a media company associated with six prominent conservative influencers, such as Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, was allegedly funded by Russian state media employees. The funds were used to produce English-language videos aligning with Kremlin interests, including amplifying U.S. domestic divisions to weaken opposition to Russian activities like the conflict in Ukraine.
The Justice Department states that the influencers are not accused of any wrongdoing, as they were reportedly misled about the funding source. Instead, the indictment implicates two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, in channeling nearly $10 million to a Tennessee-based content creation firm for generating pro-Russia content.
Following the indictment, Pool and Johnson took to social media, asserting their innocence and claiming victimization. Johnson mentioned that he had been approached to provide content for a startup, with the arrangement later being terminated.
The individuals implicated in the indictment, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, face charges of money laundering conspiracy and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. They are currently at large, and it is unknown whether they have legal representation.
The indictment offers a detailed account of Russian efforts to utilize unwitting Americans in influencing operations, with a reported preference for Trump by Moscow in the 2020 and 2016 elections. The increasing significance of influencers in shaping public opinion in the absence of traditional media has raised concerns over undisclosed funding sources fueling online messaging.
The Tennessee-based company referenced in the indictment aligns with Tenet Media, an online platform featuring conservative commentators like Pool, Johnson, Rubin, Lauren Southern, Tayler Hansen, and Matt Christiansen. These influencers collectively have over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and a significant following on other platforms.
The influencers associated with Tenet Media have built sizable followings by expressing staunch conservative views and attracting individuals who distrust mainstream media. However, some have faced criticism for spreading misinformation. The indictment reveals substantial payments made to influencers for their work, with one undisclosed individual receiving a substantial contract.
Tenet Media’s programming has featured notable conservative figures, garnering millions of views on YouTube. The company’s president, Liam Donovan, is married to Lauren Chen, an influencer affiliated with conservative organizations like Turning Point USA and Blaze Media, as well as being a contributor to RT.
