President Biden’s administration has taken control of 32 websites that were allegedly part of a fake news ring spreading disinformation about the upcoming presidential election. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), the websites were linked to a Russian government-directed “foreign malign influence” campaign known as Doppelganger. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating, “The Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used these websites to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections.”
A 277-page affidavit revealed that Russian companies, under the control of the Russian presidential administration, were using these websites as part of a propaganda campaign aimed at influencing voters ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The affidavit specifically named Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, as being involved in the campaign. It further alleged that this fake news network aimed to undermine support for Ukraine while promoting pro-Russian policies.
Fake News Campaign Acted at Putin’s Direction, DoJ Claims
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco warned that Russia remains a “predominant foreign threat to our elections,” stating that the companies acted at the direction of Vladimir Putin to spread AI-generated disinformation on social media. The DoJ did not name any specific candidate or party, using placeholders such as Political Party A and Candidate A in the affidavit. However, a document referenced as the Good Old USA Project strongly suggests that Russia’s preferred candidate is Donald Trump. Another statement in the affidavit emphasized the effort to ensure that “the U.S. Political Party A point of view (first and foremost, the opinion of Candidate A supporters) wins over the U.S. public opinion.”
Despite the disinformation campaign, there is no evidence that Trump or his campaign were aware of the operation.
FBI Director Vows to Shut Down Covert Election Influence Campaigns
FBI Director Christopher Wray stressed that the takedown of the Doppelganger campaign is just the start of efforts to ensure fair elections free from foreign meddling. “Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge A.I. to sow disinformation,” Wray said. He further noted that by seizing these websites, the FBI is making it clear that “Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society” will not be tolerated.
FAQs:
What is the Doppelganger campaign?
The Doppelganger campaign is a Russian government-directed disinformation operation using fake news websites to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
How many websites were seized?
The Biden administration seized 32 websites that were involved in spreading disinformation.
What is the role of A.I. in the campaign?
Russian actors used A.I. during the influence campaign to create false narratives and disinformation on social media.
Who is Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko?
Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko is the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, named in the affidavit as a key figure behind the campaign.
Is there evidence linking Trump to the disinformation campaign?
No, there is no evidence that Donald Trump or his campaign were aware of the disinformation campaign orchestrated by Russia.
What is the FBI’s response to this campaign?
FBI Director Christopher Wray has vowed to continue operations to expose and shut down foreign election interference efforts, starting with the Doppelganger takedown.