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Social network X owner Elon Musk faces backlash for his frequent online interactions with conservative influencers allegedly funded by Russian-backed media.
According to an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York, two Russian state media employees funneled $10 million into Tenet Media, a Tennessee-based company, to support Russia's goals through social media campaigns in the US.
Elon Musk Under Fire for Ties to Influencers Linked to Russian-Backed Media
Tenet Media is linked to far-right influencers Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, who regularly engage with Musk on X, according to Fortune.
These influencers have over six million followers. Despite their involvement with Tenet, none of them have been accused of wrongdoing, and they claim they were unaware of the company's Russian funding.
The indictment detailed that one influencer working with Tenet earned $400,000 monthly and a $100,000 bonus to create four weekly videos. Pool, Rubin, and Johnson have publicly distanced themselves from any knowledge of Tenet's Russian ties, with Johnson saying he terminated his contract after discovering the connection, Fortune reported.
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Musk's Ties to Right-Wing Influencers Spark Controversy
Musk has publicly interacted with the influencers on X around 100 times since 2022, and he has grown closer to the US political right in recent years. After purchasing Twitter, now X, Musk ease its content restrictions, positioning himself as a "free speech absolutist." The move has garnered support from conservative figures but also backlash from governments concerned about misinformation and harmful content.
Recently, Brazil's highest court banned X after Musk refused to appoint a legal representative in the country, following court orders to remove certain misinformation accounts. Musk, a known supporter of former President Donald Trump, also allowed Trump back on X after purchasing the platform.
Musk's growing ties to right-wing influencers, including those funded by foreign interests, raise concerns about his influence on political discourse in the US. Although the indictment focuses on the Russian financiers, the case underscores the increasingly blurred lines between politics, media, and global influence.
Related Article: Brazil's Supreme Court Halts Elon Musk's X Over Non-Compliance with Content Moderation Orders
