The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has revealed allegations that a Tennessee-based media company, potentially Tenet Media, received millions of dollars from employees of the Russian state-backed media outlet Russia Today (RT) as part of a covert operation to influence American public opinion ahead of the 2024 presidential election. This bombshell revelation, announced on Wednesday by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has sent shockwaves through political and media circles as it exposes yet another instance of foreign interference in U.S. elections.
The unsealed indictment accuses two RT employees, identified as Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, of orchestrating a $10 million scheme designed to covertly fund and direct an American media company, referred to as "U.S. Company 1." The goal, according to the DOJ, was to create and distribute content that subtly conveyed pro-Russian messaging while masking its true origins. The indictment stops short of naming the company directly, but details strongly suggest that Tenet Media, a firm known for its roster of far-right commentators, is the entity in question.
The company's website describes itself as a "network of heterodox commentators" focused on Western political and cultural issues. Among the personalities allegedly involved, though unnamed in the indictment, are well-known figures such as Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Dave Rubin. These commentators, some of whom boast millions of followers on platforms like YouTube, were reportedly deceived by the company's founders, who allegedly concealed the Russian funding and influence behind their content.
The DOJ claims that since its public launch in November 2023, U.S. Company 1 has produced nearly 2,000 videos across multiple social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. These videos have collectively garnered over 16 million views on YouTube alone, amplifying their reach and potential impact on American voters.
The revelations have prompted swift reactions from those implicated. Benny Johnson, one of the commentators associated with the company, issued a statement on X expressing his concern: "We are disturbed by the allegations in today's indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme." Similarly, Tim Pool took to social media, denouncing Russia and expressing disbelief over the allegations, stating, "Should these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims."
The indictment also highlights the involvement of Tenet Media's founders, Liam Donovan and his wife, Lauren Chen, a conservative influencer. According to the DOJ, the founders played a central role in directing the production and distribution of the content, even as some employees questioned the material's integrity. In one instance detailed in the indictment, a producer expressed concerns about a video featuring a U.S. political commentator in Russia, only to be overruled by the company's leadership.
The response from Russia has been predictably dismissive. In a statement to Reuters, Russia Today mocked the charges, quipping, "Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT's interference in the U.S. elections." This flippant response underscores the Kremlin's continued denial of any wrongdoing, even as the evidence of their interference mounts.
In the wake of the DOJ's announcement, Russia's foreign ministry vowed retaliatory measures against U.S. media operating in Russia. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the ministry, condemned the U.S. actions as part of a broader effort to suppress dissenting voices and maintain a narrative of Russia as a perpetual enemy. "There will be a response," Zakharova warned, hinting at potential restrictions or expulsions targeting American journalists in Russia.
