It was in the Hawaii news the other night that the Russians had stolen the identity of a Hawaii resident and was smearing Vice President Tim Walz with it. Matthew Metro lives in Hilo on the Big Island. This was on Hawaii News Now.
"Matthew Metro was a student at West Mankato High School 27 years ago when Tim Walz taught and coached there, but he said Walz wasn’t his teacher and certainly never sexually assaulted him and is trying to get the fake story under control."
And this was on CBS News:
Russian disinformation groups likely orchestrated baseless claims targeting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, falsely accusing the vice presidential candidate of sexually assaulting his students while he was a high school teacher, according to assessments by the U.S. intelligence community, independent researchers and a CBS News analysis.
At least four separate claims have spread since early October, racking up millions of views on social media platforms including X, owned by Elon Musk. Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, said at least two of the claims seem to be directly linked to Storm-1516, a Kremlin-aligned troll farm.
Matthew Metro was on TV saying how angry he was that Russian disinformation groups had gotten hold of the West Mankato High School Yearbook, stolen his identity and past, found an actor to play him and spread lies that were read by millions of people.
It's really scary and his followers believe it, of course.
As for Mr. Metro? He says he's voting for Tim Walz, oh... and Kamala Harris, of course.
This misinformation/disinformation is disgusting, but many people will choose to believe, just as they choose to think that the orange one is destined to be the next President. So sad, so wrong.
ReplyDeleteHow awful that they chose to smear someone in that way! I suppose he will never find the person who did it.
ReplyDeleteEven with physical proof before their eyes, they just yell "fake news" and believe the lies. It is so disappointing and frustrating.
ReplyDeleteScary situation in the US depending on the outcome
ReplyDeleteI am terrified by all this fake information and how easy it is to dupe people. :(
ReplyDeleteSo unscrupulous and never any embarrassment or apology.
ReplyDeleteThanks to posting this. I have heard nothing about this false claim but it is good to be aware that it and similar things are out there. We really have to be dilligent about where we get our news and information now.
ReplyDeleteSuch terrible scheming. Justice will be served. It may take awhile, but it will happen.
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) puts out texts and posts from time to time on how to spot various kinds of disinformation. Of course, you need to know that there IS disinformation before you start. What I find terrifying is that there are so many people ready to take whatever the Trump and his followers say for gospel. And I am using the word 'gospel' advisedly.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is 'weird'... and so unlike anything in past elections (or if not all elections, certainly not like the ones I grew up with). It feels like unknown sources (not just T) are at work to undermine America... and yet, so many are being taken in. How can that be?
ReplyDeleteThe denialism from Republicans about Russia is treasonous
ReplyDeleteWe are inundated with false information every day. This seems really despicable but not surprising. :-(
ReplyDeleteDisgusting. You have to be so careful about the "news." :-(
ReplyDeleteIt is frightening to me that people like Elon Musk are talking to Putin and doing HIS bidding. And that the Russians care very much about getting their useful puppet back into power. A lot of people seem to be missing that point.
ReplyDeleteIt's dreadful and disgusting. I had heard about this. I can't imagine what they are going to try next. We are so close to this election, who knows what else they will dream up.
ReplyDeleteI will be so happy when the election is over. With a good result, of course. Crazy people out there who refuse to believe the truth.
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