“`html
Escalating Election Interference by Global Adversaries
Recent findings from Microsoft reveal that U.S. adversaries are intensifying their efforts to interfere in American elections, with a particular focus on anti-CCP Republicans, including those running for down-ballot positions.
Russia’s Disinformation Tactics
In parallel, Russia continues its campaign of disinformation aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris, utilizing fabricated videos to undermine her credibility and that of her campaign. Additionally, Iranian operatives have been targeting election-related websites and mainstream media platforms.
The Impact of Misinformation Campaigns
While some misinformation initiatives fail to gain traction, others are amplified by unsuspecting Americans who unknowingly share misleading content.
“It is crucial for voters, government entities, candidates, and political parties to remain alert against deceptive online activities during the critical 48 hours surrounding Election Day,” Microsoft emphasized in its election report.
Iran’s Deceptive Online Persona
A recent report highlighted an Iranian initiative where a fake online persona named ”Bushnell’s Men” urged American voters to abstain from the upcoming election due to both candidates’ support for Israel’s military actions.
Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn Under Fire
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn is campaigning for re-election with a significant lead over her Democratic challenger. However, she has become a target of Chinese influence operations due to her stance on banning TikTok and opposing the CCP.
China’s Targeted Campaigns Against Republicans
In addition to Blackburn, China has focused its efforts on three other Republican figures: Representatives Michael McCaul (Texas), Barry Moore (Alabama), and Marco Rubio (Florida).
“This isn’t new; I’ve previously been made aware of China’s attempts at malign influence against me,” Blackburn stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“China reacts negatively towards my advocacy because I believe they are spying on our citizens,” she continued. “They pose risks to our children while failing to honor trade agreements regarding agricultural products and manufactured goods.” She criticized the Biden administration for treating China as an ally rather than addressing these issues directly.
The Role of Taizi Flood in Online Attacks
The report indicated that in late September, Chinese actor Taizi Flood initiated an online smear campaign against Blackburn while promoting her opponent Gloria Johnson through misleading posts claiming that Blackburn accepted $700,000 from opioid manufacturers as campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies.
Accusations Against Other Republicans
The CCP has also targeted McCaul by alleging he abused his power for personal gain through accusations related to insider trading and controversial legislation proposals following his visit to Taiwan last year when he was sanctioned by China.
Additonally, Flood-linked accounts criticized Moore using antisemitic rhetoric due to his support for Israel; these attacks gained considerable traction compared with those directed at Blackburn.
A Broader Influence Operation Targeting Rubio
Evidently not up for re-election this cycle but still under scrutiny is Rubio who faced allegations of corruption propagated by Flood accounts since 2022 as part of ongoing influence operations tracked by Microsoft.
Both Russia and Iran have denied any involvement or interference in U.S. political matters despite mounting evidence suggesting otherwise.
If Republicans regain control after the November elections, Blackburn plans initiatives aimed at dismantling all Confucius Institutes—educational centers linked with CCP scholars—and holding China accountable for its role in distributing fentanyl within the United States while advocating recognition of Taiwan’s independence despite current U.S policy not formally supporting it yet providing military assistance against potential threats from China’s growing military presence around Taiwan.
Source
“`
