Russia interfering in 2024 election to help Trump, US intelligence officials say - eviltoast

The officials say Russia intends to use social media to manipulate US public opinion in favor of Trump

  • N0body@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    3 months ago

    At this point, it’s becoming a cute underdog story. Poor Russia is still losing a war they thought would be over in three days two and a half years ago. Now, they’re breaking out the Facebook and Twitter bots to take over the election like it’s still 2016.

    Keep flexing as though you’re still a “superpower,” little buddy. In a few years, we’ll be nostalgic for when you were a real adversary. Again.

    • ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com
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      3 months ago

      Russia is not a superpower, but they are absolutely kicking our asses on information warfare. They spent probably in the order of low single-digit millions of dollars in 2015 and 2016 to influence that election.

      Though we’ve all read headlines that there’s “no proof” they succeeded, I think that’s a statement about how difficult it is to prove, not how likely it is that they affected the election. With how narrow Trump’s victory was and how gullible so much of the voting public is, it’s impossible to think they didn’t have an effect. Trump is still here just barely not leading in the polls in 2024, 9 years later, a sword of Damocles hanging over the nation’s democracy.

      I don’t doubt for a second that they’re going to throw everything possible at us, and that they may succeed, given that return-on-investment and previous success.

      • RestrictedAccount@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        That is what they funneled through the National Rifle Association alone.

        They laundered 100’s of millions through Trump branded properties.

        The Saudis gave literal Billions to Jared and Ivanka.

        Rudy was getting big bucks before he screwed the pooch.

    • Dr. Bluefall@toast.ooo
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      3 months ago

      As much as it is very funny, it’s still a threat that should be taken seriously.

      Stay vigilant, lads. Be watchful for any bots trying to throw a wrench into the works.

    • Pilferjinx@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      To be fair, without the US ukraine would crumble. I don’t know if all of Europe’s support could hold back Russia. Russia has adapted significantly during this war and their propaganda and IT efforts are still top notch.

      • WanderingVentra@lemm.ee
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        3 months ago

        Even if they win, it’s still a multi-year war that everybody expected to be like a week long invasion at most. You’ve got to give the credit for that. And that’s with all their effort. I doubt they can manipulate the US again while doing that, especially now that we’re on the look out for their social media tactics again.

        • Pilferjinx@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          They certainly don’t have the resources to spare as they once did before the full scale invasion. And I’m rooting for ukraine, their extinction would be a travesty.

    • Katrisia@lemm.ee
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      3 months ago

      Have you watched the movie Network (1976)? I feel like Russia is in the position of “the Arabs” right now (and I don’t say more in case you haven’t watched it).