Researchers have attributed at least five falsehoods to a Russian campaign dubbed “Storm-1516.” Linvill and Patrick Warren, co-directors of the Clemson University research group, Media Forensics Hub said they were the first to identify the disinformation campaign and did so as part of their work studying online deception. Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, an expert group that analyzes nation-state threats, soon named it “Storm-1516.” (Microsoft names emerging groups of threat activity using “Storm” and a four-digit number.)
The Media Forensics Hub tracked at least 52 online narratives between August 2023 and Oct. 3 that they believe stemmed from Storm-1516. In the weeks before Election Day, some took the form of videos that employed actors who recounted wild stories about the candidates and about battleground state voting.
In clips shared Sept. 4, a woman supposedly named “Alicia Brown” told a fabricated story about a 2011 hit-and-run incident in which she alleged Harris was the driver of a car that struck her. PolitiFact rated that claim Pants on Fire!
In another instance, video clips showed someone who claimed to be one of Walz’s former students, accusing the governor of sexual abuse. This video was uploaded days after an X account posted supposed screenshots of documents claiming Walz had “an inappropriate relationship with a minor” during his time as a public school teacher. PolitiFact examined the account’s posts and rated the claim Pants on Fire!
Another video showed a person opening mail ballots in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and ripping up those with votes for Trump. PolitiFact found it baseless and rated it Pants on Fire!
Less than a week before Election Day, a man in a video claimed to be from Haiti and said he would be voting many times for Harris using several driver’s licenses. It received PolitiFact’s Pants on Fire rating, too.
On Nov. 5, Election Day, a video circulated on social media claiming that two Harris supporters assaulted a Trump voter at a polling place in Wisconsin. PolitiFact also rated it Pants on Fire!
Well, why stop doing something just when you’re really starting to enjoy it? Treat yourself and spread a few falsehoods!