Business
The Covert Russian Influence Operation Behind Tenet Media
Uncover the hidden Russian influence operation that targets Tenet Media. This article delves into the intricate tactics and strategies used to sway public opinion and manipulate narratives in the digital age.
The Rise of Tenet Media: A Covert Russian Influence Operation
In the early months of 2022, a young Canadian couple, Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, took a bold step by establishing a new company in Tennessee. This venture soon evolved into a social media platform known as Tenet Media. By November 2023, Tenet Media had successfully recruited a roster of prominent conservative social media figures, including Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Dave Rubin, to contribute original content to the platform.
Tenet Media quickly became a hub for a plethora of videos that not only featured sharp political commentary but also delved into controversial conspiracy theories surrounding a range of topics, including:
- Election fraud
- Covid-19
- Immigration issues
- Russia’s military actions in Ukraine
These videos were then disseminated widely across various social media channels, including YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and Rumble. However, in a startling turn of events, federal prosecutors have revealed that this operation was, in fact, a covert influence campaign orchestrated by Russian operatives.
On a recent Wednesday, the Justice Department leveled accusations against two Russian nationals for allegedly facilitating a staggering $10 million in payments to Tenet Media. This funding was part of a larger scheme aimed at leveraging the influence of American social media stars to propagate pro-Kremlin narratives.
The revelations highlight the increasing sophistication of Russia’s ongoing attempts to manipulate American public opinion and further its geopolitical interests. According to assessments from American intelligence, these efforts have included influencing the electoral success of former President Donald J. Trump during the November elections.
Historically, in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, Russia relied on vast networks of internet trolls, fake social media accounts, and automated bot farms to reach and influence American audiences, with mixed results. However, the operation described by prosecutors signifies a strategic shift, focusing on the exploitation of already popular social media influencers. In this case, these influencers were able to generate as many as 16 million views on Tenet’s YouTube channel alone, underscoring the effectiveness of this new approach.