FBI debunks fake videos claiming election threats, inmate voting fraud
3 Min Read
The FBI clarifieus that warnings of fraud were entirely fabricated and do not reflect any real threat to polling station safety.
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An FBI seal is seen on a wall on August 10, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska. (AP)
The FBI has dismissed two videos circulating online as "fabricated" and "not authentic," denouncing claims that it issued warnings about terrorist threats at polling stations or election fraud involving inmate voting in swing states.
In a statement on Tuesday, the FBI confirmed that both videos misuse the agency's name and insignia to promote false narratives surrounding the election.
The first video, designed to look like a news report, falsely alleges that the FBI warned Americans to "vote remotely" due to a supposed high terror threat at polling locations.
The FBI clarified that this warning was entirely fabricated and does not reflect any real threat to polling station safety.
FBI Statement on Inauthentic Use of Bureau Name, Insignia in Promoting False Election-Related Narratives: https://t.co/jaudpZn3vd
— FBI (@FBI) November 5, 2024
A second video falsely claims that prison authorities in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona colluded with a political party to manipulate inmate votes.
This video includes an FBI watermark and a supposed CIA "Verified" page, which CNN claimed were hallmarks of a Russia-based disinformation network known as Doppelganger.
According to Darren Linvill, a "disinformation expert" at Clemson University, Doppelganger is a Russian-run campaign using bot accounts to promote fake news stories with the intent to mislead the public, often on high-stakes issues like election security.
"The campaign employs large numbers of low quality bot accounts supported by paid engagement. A common tactic the accounts employ is to disseminate links to news pages which appear legitimate but are not. It’s high volume, but low impact activity. Research has shown it receives limited organic engagement," Linvill told CNN.
Read more: Why US foreign policy is under fire from populist Right: FPIF
The FBI did not specify who was behind these debunked videos but has warned the public to be wary of disinformation campaigns as election day approaches.
The agency reaffirmed that safety measures at polling stations are effective and that there are no current threats to voting integrity.
Russia to be seen as US adversary regardless of President
Russia has maintained the position that the US will continue to view Russia as an adversary, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming November 5 presidential election.
"Regardless of the election results, for the US, we [Russia] will remain, if not an enemy, then definitely an adversary. In any case, a competitor," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty in late October.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a light-hearted manner expressed his support for US Vice President Kamala Harris in the US election, noting he admired Harris' "infectious laugh" and respected President Joe Biden's endorsement of her as his successor.
Trump later humorously claimed he was "very offended" by the endorsement, adding "I think it was done maybe with a smile."
He questioned why Putin, whom he described as a "chess player", would choose to support Harris.
Read more: 'Good thing' for US to get along with foreign leaders: Trump on Putin
