It’s tough to talk about Russian “election interference” without keeping in mind how many people still believe that Russia actually changed vote totals in 2016 to hand the presidency to Donald Trump — Harry Reid said in an interview in 2020 that there was “no question” that the Russians altered the vote tally. The best the House Intelligence Committee could come up with, though, were promoted Facebook posts they said were paid for by the Russians, like that meme of Hillary Clinton getting ready to box Jesus.
You’d think President Joe Biden would be on top of this, but U.S. intelligence officials are saying that Vladimir Putin could be using Biden’s support of Ukraine as an excuse to interfere further with American elections.
U.S. intelligence officials think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine as a pretext to order a new interference campaign in American politics. That's according to a new assessment told to @AP by sources. https://t.co/0zUYwImKUl
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 9, 2022
Nomaan Merchant reports:
Intelligence agencies have so far not found any evidence that Putin has authorized measures like the ones Russia is believed to have undertaken in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections in support of former President Donald Trump, according to several people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive findings.
But given Putin’s antipathy toward the West and his repeated denunciations of Ukraine, officials believe he may see the U.S. backing of Ukraine’s resistance as a direct affront to him, giving him further incentive to target another U.S. election, the people said. It is not yet clear which candidates Russia might try to promote or what methods it might use.
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So this is the best our “intelligence officials” can come up with? Are these the same intelligence officials who signed that letter claiming Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation?
— Stephe96 (@Stephe96) April 9, 2022
Incredible AP article. The media really need to do their jobs and stop being tools of anonymous intelligence officials who may or may not have dubious partisan motives. pic.twitter.com/oT4dVoVeIG
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) April 9, 2022
Incredible AP Article, feels like "intelligence officials say" has truly jumped the shark. https://t.co/eeHMHnj9oB
— Joe Colangelo (@Itsjoeco) April 9, 2022
Midterms ahead.
— Victor The Cleaner (@VictorTheClean3) April 9, 2022
What is it called when media uncritically parrots state talking points?
— latenighttv589 (@latenighttv589) April 9, 2022
I see the democrats finally saw their polling numbers. Preparing well for the midterm.
— Jonathan Hewitt (@jhewitt1775) April 9, 2022
"Unnamed US Intelligence officials"
😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Rupy Dupree (@DupreeRupy) April 9, 2022
Getting that preemptive excuse ready, eh?
— Swami Go Gators 🐊🦏 (@SwamiG8R) April 9, 2022
The narrative begins
— Cpt. Castoreum (@probablyshot) April 9, 2022
Preemptive fear of losing
— paige s. (@PaigeSully88) April 9, 2022
Translation…if Republicans win its Russia, if Democrats win its the most fair and free election ever
— Darth Ralpho (@_ralpho_) April 9, 2022
Maybe Biden should just do what his old boss, Barack Obama, did and just tell Putin to “cut it out.”
Related:
Help wanted: Journo seeks people influenced by Russian Facebook memes https://t.co/42jClxOvzH
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 2, 2017
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