Lawmakers say U.S. briefing showed Russia targeting Democrats with misinformation

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe top Democrats on the congressional intelligence committees say a U. S. briefing showed Russia is running a misinformation campaign against Democrats this fall.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's the one-sentence version. So who exactly said what, and when?

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSenator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes spoke Wednesday. They say it was a briefing they requested from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo the account comes from the lawmakers, not from a published intelligence document.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCorrect. Reuters reports they described the same kind of online campaign the intelligence community tracked in twenty sixteen, twenty twenty and twenty twenty-four.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThree elections in a row.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHimes said the Russians are throwing everything out there, and the message is chaos, and don't trust your voting machines.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWhich is a strange message to deliver by being believed. Is there any evidence the machines were actually breached?

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHimes emphasized there is no evidence any country could penetrate U. S. election systems and change results. The campaign is about belief, not ballots.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWho's on the receiving end?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWarner cited news reports that AI-generated fake ads are hurting Democrat James Talarico, a Texas Senate candidate, and Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNote the wording. Warner is citing news reports, not confirming those ads came from Russia.

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA fair distinction. He also said China has likely run extremely targeted efforts to influence voters, as it has before.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWhat does Moscow say?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Russian embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters. Moscow has denied meddling in U. S. elections in the past.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAnd the political context? Because Democrats are the ones sounding the alarm.

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRecent Reuters and Ipsos polling shows Democrats leading on the generic congressional ballot, lifting their hopes of retaking the House and possibly the Senate.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo critics can say the warning is convenient. Supporters will say the briefing is the briefing.

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAnd the lawmakers voiced a second worry: that Trump could try to contest results by claiming foreign hacking of voting infrastructure.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo the same claim cuts both ways. What do we watch next?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWhether the administration answers publicly, and whether the intelligence community releases its own account.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo Russia's pitch is trust nothing, and the best defence is asking who said it.

23. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLawmakers say Moscow wants you confused. Start with who said this: two lawmakers, one briefing, and no public transcript.