U.S. intel officials blame Russia for fake video that smeared Tim Walz

The New York Times ^ | October 22, 2024 at 1:07 p.m. EDT | David Nakamura

[E. Pluribus Unum]

U.S. officials said Russian social media influencers created and helped amplify fake videos and other false content that alleged abusive conduct by Tim Walz.

U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday said Russians seeking to disrupt the U.S. elections created and helped amplify fake videos and other false content last week that alleged abusive conduct by Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz.

The content, which included false allegations that Walz had acted inappropriately with students while serving as a teacher and coach, was widely disseminated on social media, smearing Walz, the Minnesota governor, ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Walz and the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, appear in what polls show is a virtual dead heat with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance (Ohio).

“Based on newly available intelligence, the intelligence community assesses that Russian influence actors created and amplified content alleging inappropriate activity committed by the Democratic vice-presidential candidate earlier in his career,” an official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told reporters in an online background briefing Tuesday. This official and others on the call spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

“The intelligence community reviewed media associated with this effort and in doing so it revealed several indicators of manipulation that are consistent with the influence efforts and tactics of Russian actors this cycle,” the official said.

Intelligence officials said analysts examined materials associated with the fake content about Walz over the weekend and concluded that the content was consistent with a pattern of Russian disinformation aimed at undermining the Democratic ticket. U.S. intelligence authorities have previously said that Russian influence efforts have been aimed at boosting Trump’s candidacy.

[JerseyDvl]

Zelensky campaigned with Harris in PA and the UK Labour party sent people over to knock on doors for Harris. Then the debate moderators helped Kamala survive another word salad meltdown while 60 minutes left most of her interview on the cutting room floor.
The media is absolutely insufferable with this BS.