Biden Administration Accuses Russian State Media of Election Interference

The Biden administration has indicted and imposed sanctions on several Russian state media executives, accusing them of trying to meddle in U.S. elections.

This move is part of a broader effort to address what the U.S. government labels as Russian interference in the presidential race.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has specifically targeted RT, previously known as Russia Today, alleging that the network paid $10 million to a Tennessee firm to spread content with covert Russian government messages to American audiences. RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, and nine others have been sanctioned for allegedly undermining U.S. institutions, though RT has denied these claims.

Garland highlighted that Russia’s aim was to sway the election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby added that Russia’s strategy also involves decreasing global support for Ukraine and pushing pro-Russian viewpoints among U.S. voters.

Additionally, the U.S. government indicted two RT executives from Moscow and imposed sanctions on ten individuals and two organizations. They also seized 32 domain names linked to spreading AI-generated misinformation targeting specific U.S. demographics. RT and other Russian media outlets have been classified as “foreign delegations,” requiring them to report their personnel information to the U.S. government.

In response, RT dismissed the allegations with sarcasm, stating: “2016 called and wants its clichés back,” and humorously remarked that “three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and RT’s meddling in U.S. elections.”

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