An unnamed Tennessee-based company, identified as Tenet Media, has been implicated in a Justice Department investigation alleging funding from Russian operatives as part of a Kremlin-orchestrated influence operation targeting the 2024 US election. The company is linked to right-wing commentators with substantial followings on platforms like YouTube.
The indictment, unsealed in New York's Southern District, accuses two RT employees of funneling nearly $10 million to Tenet Media, referred to as 'Company 1' in court documents. Tenet Media describes itself as a network of independent content creators focusing on Western political and cultural issues.
The operation's objective, as outlined by prosecutors, was to promote pro-Russian narratives by circulating content and news articles favoring individuals deemed friendly to Kremlin interests, including Donald Trump.
Tenet Media's website lists six commentators, including prominent right-wing personalities Benny Johnson and Tim Pool, who have amassed millions of subscribers on various social media platforms. Pool notably interviewed Donald Trump on his podcast in May.
In response to the allegations, Johnson and Pool released statements asserting that they were unwitting participants in the scheme and maintained editorial autonomy over their content creation.
