Tenet Media, a conservative media company, gained attention after being accused of receiving $10 million from Russia-backed media network RT to spread propaganda favorable to Russia’s interests. The company featured prominent conservative commentators like Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, and Lauren Southern, who denied knowledge of the Russian scheme. The company posted thousands of videos on YouTube but struggled to gain significant views, reflecting the highly competitive and polarized online space.
Russian operatives focused on exploiting American political polarization and conservative fears in an effort to secure a victory for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. They instructed operatives to spread messages about domestic issues, online censorship, and concerns about conservative rights. Tenet Media commentators’ videos echoed these themes, reaching millions of subscribers with messages aligned with Russia’s goals.
The founders of Tenet, Liam Donovan and Lauren Tam, have not issued any statements, while the six commentators associated with the company have issued varying responses to the allegations. Some claimed to be victims, while others acknowledged receiving money from a fictional persona named “Eduard Grigoriann.” The company’s videos often portrayed Trump in a favorable light, criticized Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and spread conspiracy theories.
Despite making inroads with the Republican party and interviewing prominent figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Lara Trump, Tenet’s involvement in the Russian scheme raises questions about how much due diligence the commentators did before accepting money. The company’s tactics, leveraging popular conservative voices to spread Russian propaganda, highlight the ongoing challenges in combating disinformation and foreign interference in American politics.
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