Russia made fake video of ballot destruction in Pennsylvania: Intel

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed an exclusive USA TODAY report on how authorities believed Russia was behind the widely viewed pro-Trump, anti-Harris video.

American intelligence service officials confirmed this that one viral video spreads online showing that mail-in ballots are being destroyed in the important suburb of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a hoax perpetrated by Russia, because part of his secret effort Unpleasant helping elect former President Donald Trump.

A federal official told exclusively to USA TODAY On Friday, authorities believed this was the case, based on the specifics of the video and the fact that it targeted Vice President Kamala Harris and attempted to boost Trump’s election chances.

Less than twelve hours later, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) confirmed this assessment in a statement statement issued Friday evening with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

The video, which began circulating Thursday, shows a stack of sealed ballot envelopes on a table as an unknown man then opened them and tore up the ballots containing votes for Trump and returned ballots for Harris.

“F— Donald Trump,” the man in the video said repeatedly as he tore up the ballots.

It was the third time in a month that the three agencies formally joined fake video of Harris being attacked or her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walzto Moscow as part of an intensive U.S. effort to make the American public aware of the Kremlin’s online propaganda efforts.

A fake video ‘manufactured and amplified’ by Russia

The intelligence community, the new statement said, “assesses that Russian actors have crafted and amplified a recent video falsely depicting an individual tearing up ballots in Pennsylvania, judging from information available to the IC and past activities of other Russian influence actors, including videos and other disinformation activities.”

“This Russian activity is part of Moscow’s broader effort to raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the U.S. election and to stoke division among Americans, as outlined in previous ODNI election updates,” the statement said. “In the run-up to Election Day and in the weeks and months thereafter, the IC expects that Russia will create and release additional media content aimed at undermining confidence in the integrity of the elections and dividing Americans.”

‘Foreign’ stories, millions of views: According to US intelligence agencies, Russia is behind the fake hit and run video attacking Kamala Harris

The intelligence officials held a series of briefings with reporters in Washington detailing the latest efforts by Russia — including China and Iran — to interfere in the election to inform the public. They also declassified and made public top secret intelligence about Russia’s efforts, led by President Vladimir Putin, in “Election security update” reports at the briefings.

In the latest briefing on Tuesday, officials said Russia in particular has stepped up efforts to intervene and boost Trump’s chances as the Nov. 5 election approaches. And they said that the other day released memo that Russia is behind a fake video smearing Walz with false accusations of sexual abuse. The intelligence officials also warned that Russian efforts to help Trump, and Iran’s attempts to damage his candidacy because of its hardline policies toward Tehran, will continue after the election — especially if Trump contests a loss, as he has strongly suggested.

And officials said that on September 23 Russia also made and circulated a widely viewed fake video showing a young girl claiming to be a paralyzed victim of a car accident with collision by Harris in San Francisco.

Video bears all the hallmarks of a Russian information operation

Bucks County officials issued a public warning late Thursday that they were aware of the “fake” video and had contacted the FBI, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania Department of State about it.

On Friday morning, a federal official told USA TODAY that the video had all the hallmarks of participation in the Russian influence operation and had prompted an investigation by the three federal agencies.

The federal official also said authorities believe there are many more fake election videos in circulation, in which Russia films people posing as Americans to amplify pro-Trump and anti-Harris narratives, sow general chaos and undermine trust in the US to undermine. electoral system.

‘This video is fake’: Pennsylvania officials say viral video of destroyed Trump ballots is a hoax

Why would Russia want to target Bucks County, Pennsylvania?

Recent opinion polls show that the presidential election battle is a dead end. That makes Pennsylvania — especially Bucks County, an affluent suburb just outside Philadelphia — a crucial swing area in determining the outcome.

In the previous two presidential elections, Montgomery and Bucks counties cast more ballots combined than Philadelphiathat alone accounted for 10% of the total 6.1 million votes in 2020 and 11.5% of the 6.1 million votes counted in 2020.

After Luzerne County, Bucks County has the smallest gap between Republican and Democratic voters. According to voter registration data from earlier this month, Republicans make up about 41.6% of voters, while Democrats make up about 41% of voters.

Both candidates have focused heavily on Bucks County and adjacent areas. Last week, Trump worked on the frying machine at a McDonald’s in Feasterville and later claimed he did it to show he had spent money.15 minutes more than Kamala” working at the iconic fast food chain.