A video circulating on social media claiming to show Haitian migrants voting illegally in Georgia’s upcoming election has been exposed as a blatant fabrication orchestrated by Russian influence actors. The video, amplified by right-wing accounts, depicts individuals claiming to be Haitian migrants stating they voted multiple times in different counties for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The United States intelligence community has issued a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) unequivocally denouncing the video’s authenticity. They assert that the video is part of Russia’s broader strategy to sow doubt about the integrity of the American election system and incite divisions among the American public.
The statement reads, “The [U.S. Intelligence Community] assesses that Russian influence actors manufactured a recent video that falsely depicted individuals claiming to be from Haiti and voting illegally in multiple counties in Georgia.” The judgment is based on extensive analysis of available intelligence, coupled with the recognition of past activities by Russian actors engaging in similar disinformation campaigns.
Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, has emphatically stated that the video is “obviously fake,” likely the product of Russian trolls seeking to create chaos and undermine confidence in the election. This video aligns with the larger pattern of foreign adversaries attempting to influence US elections, a pattern that has become increasingly concerning.
The intelligence community’s report also warns that Russia, Iran, and China are more prepared than ever to exploit vulnerabilities in the election system. While they are unlikely to directly tamper with vote counts due to robust security measures and safeguards, they are adept at disseminating misinformation and attempting to disrupt post-election processes.
The 2020 election cycle provided valuable insights to these actors, allowing them to refine their strategies and target specific areas of vulnerability. The report highlights the heightened awareness of foreign adversaries regarding the intricate processes that occur after the polls close, enabling them to strategically attempt to disrupt these critical stages of the election process.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by foreign actors seeking to influence US elections. It is crucial for citizens to remain vigilant, critically evaluate information, and rely on reputable sources for accurate and unbiased information. As the election approaches, a heightened awareness of potential disinformation campaigns and the role of foreign adversaries in attempting to influence the outcome is essential.
