Celebrities
Entertainment
Podcast Network
Politics
Crypto Currency
Finance
Canada

Russian Disinformation Exposed: DOJ Uncovers $10 Million Scheme Involving Tenet Media With Major Canadian Connection

Sep 5, 2024

The bottom fell out of Russia’s disinformation machine yesterday

…and some Canadians are deeply involved.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently uncovered a sophisticated Russian disinformation operation targeting American audiences. This scheme, allegedly orchestrated by employees of Russia Today (RT), involved funneling millions of dollars to a U.S.-based media company to spread pro-Russian propaganda. Here’s what we know so far:

The Indictment and Key Players

Two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov (31) and Elena Afanasyeva (27), have been indicted for orchestrating a $10 million scheme to create and distribute pro-Russian content to U.S. audiences. The operation allegedly involved:

  • A Tennessee-based company, identified as Tenet Media
  • Nearly 2,000 videos posted across social media platforms
  • Content reaching approximately 16 million views on YouTube alone
  • Communicating directives with Putin’s inner circle to destabilize Canada and the US

Tenet Media and Associated Influencers

Tenet Media, described as a “network of heterodox commentators focusing on Western political and cultural matters,” has been linked to several prominent right-wing influencers:

  1. Benny Johnson: A conservative commentator with 2.4 million YouTube subscribers
  2. Tim Pool: A right-wing commentator with over 2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter)
  3. Dave Rubin: Host of The Rubin Report with 2.5 million YouTube subscribers
  4. Tayler Hansen: A regular host on Tenet with 173,000 followers on X
  5. Matt Christiansen: A conservative YouTuber with over 235,000 subscribers

*It is worth noting that these people were also paid to repeat anti-Canadian, Anti-Trudeau talking points and were paramount to the success and promotion of the Fake Trucker Convoy in Ottawa with the help of Canadian “Influencers” like Kat Kanada, Andy Lee, and Rupa Subramaya who regularly interact with content created by and with Tenet Media/Tenet Media personalities.

Influencer Responses

Many of the influencers associated with Tenet Media have claimed they were unaware of the alleged Russian funding:

  • Benny Johnson stated, “We are disturbed by the allegations in today’s indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme.”
  • Tim Pool emphasized, “Never at any point did anyone other than I have full editorial control of the show.”
  • Dave Rubin asserted, “I knew absolutely nothing about any of this fraudulent activity. Period.”

LOL. That’s pure bullshit. If none of these guys knew where their 100-400k a month were coming from, yet they had full editorial control (Tim said that), do you think, as self-proclaimed patriots, they’d stop to wonder why their passionate talking points lined up with a country that hates America/Canada and all democratic institutions? They all knew and knew this day would come, but 1.2 – 4.8 million to read Russian liners is a lot of money, and the victim card works in a sim full of brainwashed dumb fucks you might be able to legal your way out of if you get caught. And they ALL got caught yesterday.

Want to know what they were paid to do for Russia/Tenet/Roam Millennial INC? It’s in their employment contracts.

The Financial Trail

The DOJ investigation revealed:

  • Wire transfers totaling $9.7 million from RT to Tenet Media (Tim Pool – 100k/mo, Benny Johnson – 400k/mo)
  • Funds are routed through shell companies in Turkey, Mauritius, and the United Arab Emirates
  • Alleged attempts to conceal the Russian origins of the funding by funneling money through a Canadian Company (Roaming Millenial Inc) owned by Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan.

*Chen, Donovan, and Tenet Media have all refused statements and have deleted multiple tweets over the past 12-24 hours. Including their “official statements”.

Implications and Ongoing Investigations

This case highlights the ongoing threat of foreign interference, particularly as the 2024 presidential/Canadian elections approach. The DOJ’s actions are part of a broader strategy to address these threats and protect democratic institutions from external manipulation. While the full impact of this disinformation campaign is still being assessed, it’s clear that social media platforms and content creators will face increased scrutiny regarding the sources of their funding and the nature of their content. As the investigation continues, it may prompt further regulatory action to prevent similar incidents and ensure greater transparency in media operations.

Canadian Connection

Roam Millenial is a Canadian Company. They were heavily implicated in supporting anti-Candian, pro-Russian talking points in helping the fake Freedom Convoy (Canada’s J6). Several Canadian influencers who “changed their minds” to being pro-Convoy continue to parrot pro-Russian talking points to this day.

Like Rupa and Convoy BTC/Dark Money guy Ben Dichter (Russia pays for this in bitcoin btw, Dichter came in handy during the convoy)

The Aforementioned “Kat Kanada” – a (not surprisingly) single mom who’s been on the Kremlin’s useless idiot roster for some time is also a top five vector for Russian talking points who routinely contributes to Tenet Media’s flywheel spy wheel.

Canada is currently investigating Russian/Chinese/Indian influence operations as part of its ongoing NSICOP investigation. Canadian law enforcement tipped their hand a few months ago when they announced virtually the same findings: Russia (China and India) is paying agencies and organizations to parrot THESE talking points to destroy democracy and create division via useful idiots who can’t tell their asses from their elbows but will blow anyone for (Russian) money.

Like Elon Musk…

…Donald Trump and the Conservative Party of Canada.

The same language, the same psyop, the same ideology. Russian Christian Orthodox talking points are meant to radicalize the dumbest people in North America—hatred for democracy and democratic institutions. Hatred for the LGBTQ community, the marginalized, and anyone who THEY don’t want in their white patriarchy.

Here is a list of pro-Russian, anti-Democratic, Pro-White Supremacy talking points Russian influencers and media outlets say to hack the brains of the terminally stupid/Conservatives.

From Russia, of course:

Do you want to see it in action?

Canadian Lauren Southern Is In TROUBLE

Lauren is the Jewel in the Canadian connection of the Russian Disinformation campaign crown.

Lauren was paid by the same Russians who paid Benny and Tim. She came to Tenet via Rebel News and spent two weeks in Russia in 2017 making a “movie.” We never saw this “movie,” but Lauren started firehosing anti-LGBTQ, DEI, and Russian Talking points shortly after she returned—sort of like Jordan Peterson did when he came back to Canada from that 3-month Russian Benzo coma sponsored by the FSB.

Lauren’s tweets are shared widely by the same bots and bot network that supported the “Still Buzzing from that Pierre Poilievre Rally in Kirkland Lake” bullshit. And Kat Kanada, along with DOZENS of Conservative politicians in Canada and the US.

Imagine Finding Out You’re A Russian “Useful Idiot” This Way.

I think the most amazing part of the Russian Disinformation Bombshell is the shock and horror of each influencer who had no idea EVERYTHING they said, wrote, or published aligned perfectly with Russian goals and talking points.

Tim Pool is “shocked.”

Benny Johnson has been “victimized.”

Lauren Southern is deleting tweets like a snuff porn account owner on Telegram.

Kat Kanada? LOLZ. She’s mocking gay people with Monkey Pox while keeping those Kremlin Pom Poms high.

Yet they agreed to deliver information. Some (most) for a fee. Were there no parameters to what they could say? Most employment contracts detail those parameters. Did they cash BTC, and was there no communication about the incredible synergy of all their content shitting all over the same things Russia shits on in lockstep? Do Lauren, Tim, Benny, and Kat want us to think this is all pure coincidence and that they are the real victims? Are they even bothered by the fact they align PERFECTLY with the wants and needs of a religious dictator who hates Canada and America?

Fuck no.

They get free money and attention, and when you’ve always been a poor dumb nobody, that matters.

I’d feel dumb AF if they had “no idea.” Like, move off grid embarrassed.

Suppose someone told me two years into a job that I had been conned by a couple of women working for Putin’s inner circle into thinking that I was someone when I was a “useful idiot” repeating pure hateful bullshit. I’d probably end it all or move into the mountains to be with all the other stupids. I’d never show my face again, apologize for being THAT stupid, and pray for grace and forgiveness from law enforcement.

Think about it. These fucking morons have been paid and tricked into thinking they are someone. In reality, they’ve all been punked by a dictator 15k km away into committing treason. I’d be suicidal this morning.

You HATE to see it.

And…I love being right.

LOL

DB

PS: Speaking of operatives who parrot anti-Ukrainian, pro-Russian talking points, this guy has been pretty quiet…

Dean Blundell

Dean Blundell is a Canadian radio personality. Best known as a longtime morning host on CFNY-FM (The Edge) in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015 he was named the new morning host on sports radio station CJCL (Sportsnet 590 The Fan). Dean started his career in radio in 2001 and for nearly 20 years been entertaining the radio audience. Dean’s newest venture is the launch of his site and podcast which is gaining tremendous momentum across North America.

Subscribe Now!

Which newsletters would you like to receive?

Yes! By providing my email address, I agree to receive communications from Crier Media (this can be changed at any time). Please take a look at the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more details.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related stories