U.S. intelligence official - Russia will likely use propaganda to support Trump over Harris

According to a recent assessment by the U.S. intelligence community, Russia is likely to use propaganda to support former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This development comes as no surprise, given Russia’s history of using disinformation and propaganda to influence foreign elections and further its geopolitical interests.

The intelligence official who made this assessment noted that Russia has a long history of using propaganda to manipulate public opinion and sway political outcomes in its favor. During the 2016 presidential election, for example, Russia used a variety of tactics, including hacking and disinformation campaigns, to support Trump’s candidacy and undermine that of his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

The official also pointed out that Russia has continued to use propaganda and disinformation in the years since the 2016 election, with a particular focus on sowing discord and confusion among the American public. This includes spreading false information through social media, using bots and trolls to amplify certain messages, and leveraging relationships with influential individuals to shape public opinion.

In terms of why Russia might prefer Trump over Harris, the official suggested that the Kremlin likely views Trump as a more favorable candidate given his previous statements and actions, which have been seen as sympathetic to Russian interests. For example, Trump has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of NATO and expressed a desire for better relations with Russia, which aligns with Putin’s goals of weakening Western alliances and expanding Russian influence.

Furthermore, the official noted that Harris, as a woman of color, may be seen as a less favorable candidate in the eyes of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has a history of using racist and sexist rhetoric to undermine his political opponents. This could lead Russia to use propaganda tactics to discredit Harris and bolster Trump’s campaign.

The intelligence official emphasized that while the assessment suggests Russia will likely support Trump over Harris, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that Trump will win the election or that Russian interference will be successful. The American public should remain vigilant and critical of any information they encounter, especially in light of Russia’s history of using propaganda to manipulate public opinion.

In response to this assessment, some lawmakers have called for increased efforts to combat Russian disinformation and propaganda. Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that “We need to take steps to protect our democracy from foreign interference, and that includes being vigilant about Russian propaganda efforts.”

Other experts have also emphasized the importance of countering Russian disinformation and propaganda. Ben Nimmo, a researcher at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, noted that “Russia has been using propaganda and disinformation for decades to manipulate public opinion and advance its geopolitical goals. We need to be prepared to counter these efforts and protect our democracy.”

In conclusion, while Russia’s use of propaganda to support Trump over Harris is a concerning development, it is important to remember that the American public has the power to combat this interference by remaining informed and critical of any information they encounter. By staying vigilant and skeptical, we can protect our democracy from foreign interference and ensure that our elections are free and fair.