Tag: russia
Republicans Using Hurricane Relief To Promote 'Kremlin Propaganda'

Republicans Using Hurricane Relief To Promote 'Kremlin Propaganda'

As the devastation from Hurricane Helene became increasingly apparent over the weekend, MAGA loyalists were falsely blaming the U.S. federal government, Vice President Kamala Harris, and President Joe Biden of ignoring the victims and refusing to provide critical resources. As critics called out their lies, one fascism and authoritarianism expert accused pro-Trump social media accounts linking Ukraine aid to Helene assistance of spreading Russian propaganda.

'We're not leaving until the job is done," President Biden vowed Monday morning in a White House address (video below), saying he expects to tour the areas devastated by Helene this week, likely Wednesday or Thursday—but not until first responders are able to do their work without his presence being "disruptive."

"I've been told that if we disrupt, if I did it right now, we will not do that at the risk of diverting or delaying any response assets needed to deal with this crisis."

The President then detailed the scope of the federal government's response.

"I and my team are in constant contact with governors, mayors and local members. Head of FEMA, Ann Griswold, is on the ground now in North Carolina. She's going to stay in Asheville, and that place of reason for the foreseeable future, there's been reports of over 100 dead and the consequence of the storm, and there are reports about 600 people unaccounted for because they can't be contacted. God willing they're alive, but there's no way to contact them again because of the lack of cell phone coverage."

"I directed my team to provide every available resource as fast as possible to their communities, to rescue, recover and to begin rebuilding," Biden said.

He noted that FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Defense are on the ground.

"So far, that's over 3600 personnel deployed. That number is growing by the day."

"I quickly approved requests from governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia and Alabama for an emergency declaration. And I approved additional requests for the governors of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and for disaster declaration to pay for debris removal, provide financial assistance directly to survivors. FEMA and Small Business Administration are there to help the residents whose homes and businesses were literally destroyed, washed away or blown away, and the federal search and rescue teams have been working side by side with state and local officials and partners in very treacherous conditions to find those who are missing and they'll not rest until everyone's accounted for."

"Your nation has your back, and the Biden Harris administration will be there until the job is done," the President promised.

He also suggested he may ask Congress to return from its extended recess to approve additional funding for the areas devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The White House on Sunday published an even more detailed report, which circulated on social media.

Barely minutes after President Biden concluded his remarks, Donald Trump posted on social media he was on his way to Valdosta, Georgia, claiming he will travel to North Carolina later, "but don’t like the reports that I’m getting about the Federal Government, and the Democrat Governor of the State, going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas. MAGA!"

Trump's suggestion is false, according to numerous reports.

"More than 500 North Carolina National Guard members are now working alongside local emergency responders conducting search and rescue missions, delivering needed supplies and working to restore infrastructure," North Carolina's Democratic Governor Ray Cooper said Sunday, the Asheville Citizen Times reported.

"The U.S. National Guard said on X Sunday that more than 5,500 members from 11 states are supporting Hurricane Helene response missions," the paper added. "The North Carolina National guard activated more than 500 soldiers and airmen along with over 200 vehicles and aircraft, according to a post on X Sunday."

But in May of 2017, then-President Trump denied "99 percent of federal recovery funds for Hurricane Matthew," PBS News reported.

Despite the massive federal response by the Biden administration, Trump and his MAGA supporters and disinformation purveyors have been "pushing Kremlin propaganda" about the response, falsely claiming that Biden and Harris, or the federal government in general, are refusing to assist victims, and state and local governments, with a large focus on funding for Ukraine.

"This propaganda to tie the hurricane to Ukraine is insane," wrote the Center for European Policy Analysis's Olga Lautman, whose "research focuses on the cross-section of organized crime and intelligence operations in Russia and Ukraine, their impact on the West, and the monitoring of active measures campaigns conducted by the Kremlin to destabilize democratic practices and influence foreign elections."

"For 2 days, far right propagandists are lying that Ukraine received funding and Americans aren’t despite Biden approving immediate federal funds. More proof of them pushing kremlin propaganda by focusing only on Ukraine," she added.

Despite countless news reports to the contrary, Sunday evening, far-right podcaster and columnist Matt Walsh falsely declared: "Unfortunately the North Carolina flood victims are citizens of the USA, not Ukraine, so the Biden Administration sees no reason to help them."

Stephen Miller, the former Trump White House senior advisor and architect of his child separation policy, falsely claimed on Sunday evening: "Kamala used every available government resource to airlift and evacuate 500 thousand Haitian illegals to the United States. But she couldn’t lift a finger to rescue drowning Americans in Asheville."

Monday morning he responded to a Harris video vowing to help those affected by Helene, and despite all reports of aid and assistance, he wrote: "Americans are dying and they are drowning. You failed to warn them. You failed to evacuate them. You failed to rescue them. Just like you failed in Afghanistan. Except this is on our own soil."

A former editor at the far right-wing website Breitbart, Emma-Jo Morris, on Sunday evening wrote on social media, "I wish North Carolina was as important as Ukraine." That one post has received almost one million views. She followed that up with, "Isn’t there a corruption opportunity for Joe Biden in North Carolina so we can get them some aid."

Far right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich on Sunday blasted this post off to his 1.3 million followers: "They let Maui burn, they let Asheville drown, can the country survive four more years of this?"

Other top pro-Trump surrogates, like U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Monday afternoon falsely claimed the Biden-Harris administration "Abandoned the people of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee impacted by the hurricane."

Watch the videos above or at this link.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

MAGA influencers

MAGA Media React To Russian Influence Indictments With Conspiracy Babble

Right-wing media figures are responding to news that several prominent MAGA influencers were unwittingly working on behalf of Russia by spouting absurd conspiracy theories and attacking law enforcement officials who uncovered the apparent scheme.

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday a multidepartment effort to target Russian-backed attempts to interfere with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, including criminal charges against two Russian nationals, sanctions against 10 other individuals and entities, and the seizure of 32 internet domains.

A released indictment details how two RT employees allegedly financed a U.S.-based media company, which reports have subsequently identified as Tenet Media, a right-wing media operation that has employed prominent MAGA influencers including Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern. MAGA personality Lauren Chen and her husband have been identified as the founders of the company. Only the two RT employees were charged in the indictment.

As CNN reported:

At Russian President Vladimir Putin’s direction, three Russian companies used fake profiles to promote false narratives on social media, US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Internal documents produced by one of those Russian companies show one of the goals of the propaganda effort was to boost the candidacy of Donald Trump or whoever emerged as the Republican nominee for president, according to an FBI affidavit.

Separately, two employees of RT, the Russian state media network, were indicted in a US court for allegedly being part of a scheme that funneled nearly $10 million to set up and direct a Tennessee-based front company to produce online content aimed at sowing divisions among Americans, according to the Justice Department. The scheme targeted millions of American news consumers with what Attorney General Merrick Garland described as “hidden Russian government messaging.”

WIRED also reported:

A Tennessee-based media network that produces shows for high-profile right-wing influencers such as Benny Johnson and Tim Pool was largely funded by Russian state-backed news network RT, according to a federal indictment against two RT employees that the US Department of Justice unsealed on Wednesday. The DOJ claims the US company—which WIRED, along with other news outlets, was able to identify as Tenet Media but goes unnamed in the indictment—posted hundreds of videos on social media that pushed Kremlin-approved talking points.

With the tagline “Fearless voices live here,” Tenet Media’s network includes online creators known for their right-wing politics, including Johnson, Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern. In addition to the followings of the network’s individual creators, which collectively number in the millions, Tenet Media itself boasts more than 315,000 followers on YouTube and thousands more across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Johnson, Pool, Rubin, and Southern did not immediately respond to requests for comment; none are accused of wrongdoing.

Fox News, Newsmax, and other MAGA media personalities reacted to the news of Russian attempts to influence the 2024 election by attacking law enforcement agencies, dismissing the gravity of the interference attempts, and claiming that the effort was an attempt by the Justice Department to steal or influence the election in Vice President Kamala Harris’ favor.

Fox News

Special Report

Fox News' Mollie Hemingway attacked American law enforcement: “Our Department of Justice and FBI are the least credible people to talk about this." [Fox News, Special Report with Bret Baier, 9/4/24]

The Ingraham Angle

Laura Ingraham claimed that the DOJ may be “laying the ground for more censorship” while guest Vivek Ramaswamy claimed that the real threat is from the “administrative state.” Ingraham agreed that the threat is from the “enemy within.” [Fox News, The Ingraham Angle, 9/4/24]

Jesse Watters Primetime

Jesse Watters mocked concerns of Russian interference: “This show tonight has all the earmarks of Russian propaganda.” [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Jesse Watters reacted to the Russian election interference indictment by calling it “dirty tricks” from the Department of Justice. [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Watters: “So people here took money, they didn't know where the money was coming from, and it didn't change the way they talked on the internet.” [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Newsmax

Rob Schmitt Tonight

Newsmax's Rob Schmitt said that Attorney General Merrick Garland is “resurrecting” the Russian interference narrative. [Newsmax, Rob Schmitt Tonight, 9/4/24]

Newsmax guest says the Department of Justice is trying to create a Russian “boogeyman” where there isn't one. [Newsmax, Rob Schmitt Tonight, 9/4/24]

Prime News

Newsmax host Michael Grimm: “The left is blaming Russia for their unpopular policies.” [Newsmax, Prime News, 9/4/24]

Greg Kelly Reports

Newsmax's Greg Kelly: “Russian disinformation is basically code for stories Democrats don't like.” [Newsmax, Greg Kelly Reports, 9/4/24]

Chris Plante: The Right Squad

Newsmax host Chris Plante claimed that Russia prefers Democrats in power: “This is what Democrats do when they're losing. They panic. ... Their playbook has one thing when all else fails: Blame Russia. The only problem is, you know, Russia prefers Democrats, as you might expect, to be in charge in the United States of America. Not Trump. They don't want President Trump in charge. In fact, Vlad the Impaler Putin admitted that earlier this year.” [Newsmax, Chris Plante: The Right Squad, 9/4/24]

MAGA personalities

Charlie Kirk

Timcast co-host Ian Crossland suggested that the situation may be a “psyop within a psyop.” [YouTube, Timcast, 9/4/24]

TimCast

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk posted in response to the DOJ election threats task force: “The regime is ramping up its fear campaign ahead of November” and in a separate post, “It's 2016 all over again.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24, 9/4/24]

Jack Posobiec

MAGA personality Jack Posobiec wrote, “Crazy how all the Russia collusion stuff reappears the day after Trump says he is going to declass the Epstein client list… Really makes you think.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

Dan Bongino

Right-wing radio host Dan Bongino wrote, “Trust absolutely NOTHING emanating from the DOJ or FBI that even remotely whiffs of politics.” He added, “Especially before an election, where they have a deep and troubled history of election interference in defense of their democrat allies.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

Rogan O'Handley

MAGA commentator Rogan O'Handley, also known as DC Draino, wrote a long post claiming the Justice Department is weaponized against MAGA, writing, “Today’s DOJ indictment mentioning prominent MAGA Youtubers is just a preview of what the weaponized Kamala regime will do to every prominent voice in the Patriot movement.” He added, “The regime knows it’s being rejected by the American people and is desperately lashing out" and “No more distractions, no more purity tests for Trump, no more BS - we ALL have to fight like hell to get him elected or most of us are going to end up targeted by the Deep State.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

RedState

Right-wing news site RedState published an article titled “Kamala’s Campaign Is Flailing So Badly the DOJ Just Tried to Toss Her a ‘Russia Collusion’ Lifeline” in which they call the indictment another “fake Russia meddling hoax.” [RedState, 9/5/24]

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters.

How Kamala Harris Played A Key Role In Russia Prisoner Swap

How Kamala Harris Played A Key Role In Russia Prisoner Swap

Thursday’s prisoner swap with Russia was the largest since the fall of the Soviet Union and required years of work behind the scenes involving a variety of world leaders.

That included Vice President Kamala Harris, who conducted a pair of low-profile meetings at the Munich Security Conference in February with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob. Germany was holding Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov and Slovenia had two other Russian prisoners that Russia wanted as part of any deal.

When President Joe Biden needed someone to conduct these critical, secretive, high-level negotiations, he knew he could count on Harris to get it done.

The deal that led to the release of multiple political prisoners being held by Russia was enormously complex. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, corporate security executive Paul Whelan, and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Vladimir Kara-Murza were all released along with 11 Russian dissidents, including supporters of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Harris' involvement in the swap shows that she's already an experienced and trusted figure in dealing with America's allies. In fact, her encounter with Golob marked the highest-level meeting between America and Slovenia in history.

Rebuilding alliances, strengthening and expanding NATO, and restoring international faith in the United States as a reliable ally and thoughtful partner are some of Biden’s most critical accomplishments during his term in office. While he was president, Donald Trump went out of his way to weaken NATO, diminish American leadership, and weaken support for the United States around the world. Biden reversed that damage.

NATO is now stronger and larger than ever, with the recent addition of both Finland and Sweden to the alliance of countries. That renewed sense of unity and purpose has helped NATO allies provide vital supplies and assistance to Ukraine in its fight against an illegal, unprovoked invasion by Russia.

Harris is uniquely positioned to build on what Biden accomplished. She’s already a familiar and trusted presence among America’s allies, and she and all of her potential running mates are strong supporters of Ukraine.

Donald Trump had attempted to free Whelan, a Trump supporter, after his 2018 arrest in Russia. But in 2022, Trump claimed he had turned down a deal to free Whelan while criticizing Biden’s deal to free WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Trump claimed that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would only release Gershkovich if Trump was elected to a second term. To no one’s surprise, that turned out to be a lie.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos.

Kinzinger: Moscow Is Celebrating Nomination Of Its Stooge Vance

Kinzinger: Moscow Is Celebrating Nomination Of Its Stooge Vance

One former Republican member of the House of Representatives is warning that Russia is rooting for Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), who is former President Donald Trump's 2024 running mate, to become vice president.

The Hill reported that during a Monday night interview with The Late Show's Stephen Colbert, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) cautioned viewers that it isn't just Americans who are paying attention to Vance's pending nomination as the GOP's pick for vice president. He suggested Vance's ascension to become Trump's right hand was welcome news to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"They are celebrating that choice, both in Milwaukee tonight and in Moscow," Kinzinger said.

“JD Vance is the one that has … very loudly talked about how he doesn’t care what happens in Ukraine. He has opposed aid to Ukraine,” he continued. “At a time where, since World War II, the biggest defense of a country, of freedom, that is happening right now.”

Kinzinger, who served in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Vance's past opposition to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war to defend its territory from occupying Russian forces could mean that the U.S. abandons the eastern European democracy should Trump win a second term. He accused the Ohio Republican of "aggressively parrot[ing] actual Russian talking points" in railing against funds for Ukraine.

"I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other," Vance told former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon — who is now serving a federal prison sentence — in a 2022 episode of his podcast.

Vance has already taken the position that disputed territories like Donbas in the east along with Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 and resulted in Russia getting kicked out of the G8 (now G7), should be officially ceded to Putin to end the war.

"[The Russia-Ukraine war] ends the way nearly every single war has ever ended: when people negotiate and each side gives up something that it doesn’t want to give up,” Vance said in December. “No one can explain to me how this ends without some territorial concessions relative to the 1991 boundaries.”

A foreign policy expert told the Ohio Capital Journal last month that making territorial concessions to Putin would likely embolden him and that Russia is on the verge of relenting due to staggering losses.

“We need to flip the script,” said Charles A. Kupchan, who is an international affairs professor at Georgetown University . “We need to make it clear to the Russian leadership and the Russian people that we have more staying power than they do. Ultimately, the Russians are going to tire of this. They’ve lost somewhere around 350,000 people dead and wounded. This is a war that is imposing very considerable costs on Russia. The key here is to make sure that we convince Putin that we’re going to stay the course. It’s only then that I think you’ll see him cease and desist.”

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

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