Three prominent podcasters insisted they had no knowledge that the US network hosting their content had allegedly received nearly $10 million from Russian state media operatives seeking to influence the 2024 presidential election.
Tim Poole, Benny Johnson and Dave Rubin all strongly denied any wrongdoing and described themselves as “victims” of the alleged Moscow-backed scheme.
Accordingly Justice Department indictmentAn unidentified Tennessee-based company received nearly $10 million from two employees of the Russian state-owned media network RT.
CNN said it had “independently confirmed” that the company is Tenet Media, a content creation platform that hosts shows for Poole, Johnson and Rubin.
The indictment claimed that the plan was to “recruit unknown American influencers” who would promote a Kremlin-sympathetic narrative ahead of November’s presidential election.
Statement on DOJ indictment leaked today:
A year ago, a media startup approached my company as an independent contractor to provide content. Our attorneys negotiated a standard, arms-length deal, which was later terminated. We are troubled by today’s allegations…
— Benny Johnson (@BennyJohnson) September 4, 2024
In a statement posted on Ex, earlier TwitterPoole wrote: “If these allegations prove to be true, I as well as other personalities and critics were duped and victimized. I can’t speak for anyone else in the company about what they do or what they are instructed to do.
He added: “That being said, we still don’t know what’s true because these are just allegations. Putin is a crook, Russia sucks ass****.”
Johnson wrote: “A year ago, a media startup approached my company as an independent contractor to provide content. Our attorneys negotiated a standard, arms-length deal, which was later terminated. We are troubled by the allegations in today’s indictment, which make it clear that I and other influencers were victims of this alleged scheme. My lawyers will handle anything anyone says or suggests otherwise.
Rubin commented: “These allegations clearly show that I and other critics were victims of this scheme. I knew absolutely nothing about this fraudulent activity. Period.”
Newsweek Tenet Media was contacted for comment outside regular business hours.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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