US Intelligence Warns of Russia's Efforts to Spread Election Disinformation

The US intelligence expects that Russia will focus its propaganda efforts on backing former President Donald Trump against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, intelligence revealed on Monday, July 30, Associated Press and NBC News reported.

“The American public should know that content that they read online — especially on social media — could be foreign propaganda, even if it appears to be coming from fellow Americans or originating in the United States,” said an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

According to intelligence, Russia remains the biggest threat when it comes to election disinformation. At the same time, there are signs that Iran is expanding its efforts, while China is moving cautiously in 2024.

During the briefing with reporters, officials noted that Kremlin-linked groups are increasingly employing marketing and communications firms based in Russia to outsource the creation of digital propaganda and to help cover their tracks.

The agency stated that Russia is the “predominant threat to US elections” and highlighted that “Russian influence actors have undertaken distinct efforts during this election cycle to build and use networks of US and other Western personalities to create and disseminate Russian-friendly narratives.”

“Russia’s core interest in this election is opposing candidates who want to offer further aid to Kyiv, and we expect Russia’s focus will remain on that,” the official said.

Russia also takes advantage of recent developments in the presidential race, including the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Following the attack on Trump, Russian disinformation agencies swiftly promoted claims that Democratic rhetoric incited the shooting, and even pushed unfounded conspiracy theories alleging that Biden or the Ukrainian government orchestrated the attack.