Russian disinformation groups have been identified as the likely orchestrators behind baseless claims targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, falsely accusing him of sexually assaulting his students while he was a high school teacher. These claims have been assessed by the U.S. intelligence community, independent researchers, and a CBS News analysis, all pointing to Russian interference in spreading misinformation.
Since early October, at least four separate claims have circulated, gaining millions of views on social media platforms such as X, owned by Elon Musk. Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, has stated that two of these claims are directly linked to Storm-1516, a Kremlin-aligned troll farm. A report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that Russian disinformation groups were behind the dissemination of false information targeting Gov. Walz’s earlier career.
The initial claim surfaced on October 5 during a Rumble livestream where an anonymous man alleged that Walz had abused him when he was a Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program student in Minnesota from 2004 to 2005. This man, whose voice was altered, was interviewed by John Mark Dougan, a former Florida sheriff’s deputy living in Russia with alleged ties to disinformation campaigns. This was the first indication that Russian disinformation groups may be involved, according to Linvill.
The U.S. State Department and FLEX stated that they have no record of any FLEX student from Kazakhstan in Mankato area schools between 2000 and 2020. Furthermore, Mankato Area Public Schools’ communications director confirmed that they have no record of these allegations. NewsGuard initially reported this claim, and upon investigation, CBS News found inconsistencies in the documents provided by Dougan, casting doubt on the authenticity of the claims.
Subsequent claims also emerged, with one suggesting inappropriate behavior by Walz during trips to China and another alleging misconduct with a minor at a concert in 1995. The latter claim was accompanied by manipulated screenshots of supposed emails, creating further confusion and misinformation. Despite efforts by researchers to debunk these claims, they continued to spread on social media platforms.
On October 16, a man claiming to be Matthew Metro, a former Mankato West High School student, posted a video alleging that Walz sexually assaulted him in 1997. However, investigations by The Washington Post and AFP revealed that the person in the video was not Matthew Metro, and the real Metro confirmed that he had never met Walz. Experts in manipulated media believe that the video was a “cheap fake” rather than an AI-generated deepfake.
The pattern of disinformation surrounding Gov. Walz aligns with previous tactics employed by Storm-1516, a known Russian disinformation group. Their focus on spreading false claims about political figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, indicates a deliberate effort to influence public opinion. Linvill noted that the dissemination of false claims through individuals claiming to be victims is a common tactic used in these campaigns.
Efforts to reach out to social media platforms such as X and Rumble for comment have been unsuccessful, highlighting the challenges in addressing the spread of misinformation online. The involvement of Russian disinformation groups in targeting Governor Walz underscores the need for increased vigilance and scrutiny when consuming information on social media platforms.
In conclusion, the spread of baseless claims targeting Governor Tim Walz is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign actors. It is imperative for individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter online and to be aware of the potential influences behind such misinformation. By remaining vigilant and informed, we can work towards combating the spread of false narratives and protecting the integrity of our democratic processes.
