Were Our Favorite Content Creators Secretly Funded by Russia?


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OPINION – As the vultures circle and defenders hurl stones at the opportunists, I’m here to offer a little perspective, if you don’t mind. Let’s not kid ourselves—the same vultures swooping in now are hardly innocent. They take money from the DNC and push their narrative without question. We live in an era where accusations are as common as opinions, and everyone is just waiting to jump on the latest scandal. But before we let the mob decide guilt, maybe we should pause, zoom out, and realize that guilt by association isn’t the same as being guilty.

In the wake of a DOJ indictment unsealed this week, the issue of foreign influence in American media has resurfaced, this time implicating Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva. They allegedly funneled nearly $10 million through Tenet, a U.S.-based content creation company, to produce and distribute thousands of videos designed to push Russian government narratives. What makes this situation alarming isn’t just the magnitude of the scheme, but the potential for honest, hardworking content creators to be caught up in the fallout—facing accusations, whether valid or not, that they are part of a covert influence operation.

The indictment shows that Tenet, from its inception, was practically bankrolled by Russia through RT, formerly known as Russia Today. Over the span of less than a year, Tenet published around 2,000 videos on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. On the surface, these videos appeared to tackle everyday American issues—immigration, inflation, and domestic policies. But according to the DOJ, many of these videos were crafted to amplify discord in the United States, reflecting Russia’s long-standing goal of sowing chaos and confusion.

Now, content creators like Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and others have become the focus of speculation, with some claiming they may have unknowingly been swept up in this influence operation. The commentators on Tenet Media’s roster include Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Dave Rubin, Taylor Hansen, Lauren Southern, and Matt Christiansen. The indictment does not name names, but identifies the internet personalities simply as “Commentator-1” and “Commentator-2”. There’s a critical nuance here that needs to be understood—having an opinion, or even expressing a controversial one, is not evidence of wrongdoing or complicity in any illegal activity. I’ve worked in the content creation space, and I know firsthand how easy it is to be misled by companies that claim to support free speech and transparency, only to reveal ulterior motives down the road.

In my own experience working with a company that branded itself as a free speech platform, I initially believed I had found a space for unfiltered, independent discourse. But over time, it became clear that they were not practicing what they preached. Their true motives, driven by profit rather than principle, led me to walk away. Not all creators are given the opportunity to see the “man behind the curtain,” so to speak, or have the wherewithal to recognize when they’re being used. The creators at the center of this latest controversy are no different. They didn’t have the benefit of hindsight in this particular case, at least that is what the DOJ has stated.

Take Benny Johnson, for instance. I’ve never been a fan of his style—his “gotcha” headlines often feel like they lack accountability. But maligning him as a puppet for Russian interests feels like a stretch. He, like many content creators, thrives on sensationalism, which draws in views and engagement. But there’s a big difference between sensationalism and deliberately furthering the goals of a foreign government. While his content might be inflammatory, that doesn’t automatically translate to collusion.

Tim Pool is another example. He’s known for his doomsday tones and constant proclamations that the sky is falling. His style appeals to people because it taps into fear and anxiety about the world around us. Is his content cynical? Absolutely. But it’s cynical in the same way that every media outlet in America has become—constantly pushing the narrative that disaster is imminent. That doesn’t mean he’s part of a Russian influence operation. It means he’s part of a media ecosystem where fear sells.

Dave Rubin took me years to come around to. At first, I wasn’t convinced of his sincerity as a conservative voice. But over time, it became clear to me that he wasn’t just pandering—he genuinely believed in the positions he espoused. And yet, now, he too is being lumped into this controversy, with some questioning whether his voice was amplified by Russian funds. What we have to remember is that not every content creator who offers an opinion, even one that aligns with the goals of a foreign state, is guilty of working with that state. The line between opinion and propaganda can sometimes be blurry, but it still exists.


The problem we’re facing right now is a lack of nuance in how we view content creators. Just because someone expresses a controversial or unpopular opinion doesn’t mean they’re doing so with nefarious intent. And more importantly, it doesn’t mean they’re aware of the forces behind the scenes that might be amplifying their voice. These creators, like so many of us, are navigating a media landscape that is increasingly complex and opaque.That’s not to say we shouldn’t be vigilant. The DOJ’s indictment makes it clear that Russia’s goal is to exploit divisions in our country. By funneling money through shell companies and using fake identities, Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva were able to push propaganda in a way that felt organic and homegrown. But while the DOJ has made allegations against Tenet, it’s essential to remember that these content creators are, at least for now, innocent. They haven’t been charged with any crimes. In America, we’re supposed to believe in the presumption of innocence. That’s a principle we cannot afford to abandon, especially when foreign actors like Russia would love nothing more than to see us turn against each other.

The meme that never was…

I almost fell into the same trap. Just last night, I created a meme—one that I thought was funny at first—but as I looked at it, I realized that it was exploiting someone else’s misfortune. It would have gotten likes and shares, sure, but at what cost? I decided not to post it. And that, I think, is the crux of what’s happening here. We’re in a culture where content is king, and there’s a constant pressure to produce something, anything, that will get attention. But at some point, we have to ask ourselves—are we profiting off the misfortunes of others? Are we contributing to the problem?

The six content creators mentioned don’t need my support. They’re big names with large followings, and if this happened to me, I’m not sure they’d even take notice. But that’s not the point. The point is that we need to stand together and have faith that innocence is applied to all who are accused. If we don’t, then we’re worse than the problem itself. We’re becoming more like Russia than we’d care to admit—quick to accuse, quick to tear down, and slow to understand.

In the end, what we need is perspective. Yes, there are bad actors out there—people who would gladly take advantage of our freedoms to push their own agendas. But we can’t let that cloud our judgment when it comes to individuals who are just trying to make a living, express an opinion, or share their take on the world. If we start assuming guilt without evidence, we’re headed down a dangerous path, one that could lead to the very division and discord that Russia set out to create in the first place.

One thought on “Were Our Favorite Content Creators Secretly Funded by Russia?

  1. I’m so glad to see you aren’t jumping on the band wagon to discredit these guys for this. It makes me even more proud than I already was to be a dummy!! Love ya!

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