America’s adversaries are stepping up election interference efforts, with China going after Republicans who voted against the Chinese Communist Party, according to a new report from Microsoft.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to smear Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign with fake videos, and Iranian actors are turning to election-related websites and mainstream media.
Some misinformation campaigns receive little attention, while others are amplified by thousands of unwitting Americans.
“Voters, government agencies, candidates, and political parties must remain vigilant against deceptive and suspicious activity online, with a particular focus on the 48 hours before and after Election Day,” Microsoft said in its election report. ” he said.
Iran last week constructed a fake online persona known as “Bushnell’s Men” and told U.S. voters to sit out the election due to both candidates’ support for Israeli military operations, according to reports. I called out.
Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is running for re-election with a safe double-digit lead over her Democratic challenger. Still, China has sent influential actors to pursue her online for her efforts to ban TikTok and fight the Chinese Communist Party.
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China is targeting the re-election of Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn. (Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
In addition to Mr. Blackburn, China has shown particular interest in three other Republicans: Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), Rep. Barry Moore (Alabama), and Rep. Marco Rubio (Florida). are.
“This is nothing new. I’ve been informed for some time that China is trying to run a negative campaign against me,” Blackburn told Fox News Digital.
“China is angry with me because I believe they are trying to spy on our people,” she continued. “They are imposing risk and harm on our children. They do not honor trade agreements when it comes to agricultural products and manufactured goods. And I will speak out about this. I felt like they were treating me like a friend or business partner. ”
In late September, Chinese actor Tysy Flood launched an online campaign criticizing Blackburn and promoting his opponent, state Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Tenn.), according to the report.
One flood post claimed that Blackburn “received $700,000 from an opioid company,” referring to campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies.
In addition to Mr. Blackburn, China, led by Mr. Xi Jinping mentioned above, has three Republican members of Congress: Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), Rep. Barry Moore (Alabama), and Rep. Marco Rubio (Florida). is of particular interest. (Photo credit: Xie Huanchi/Xinhua News Agency, via Getty Images)
The Chinese Communist Party is also pursuing Mr. McCall, accusing him of “abusing his power for personal gain.” Online posts linked to the Chinese Communist Party accused McCall of insider trading and pushing controversial legislation. McCaul was sanctioned by China in 2023 after visiting Taiwan.
Flood-related accounts also went after Moore, using anti-Semitic language and criticizing his support for Israel, according to the report.
Unlike Blackburn’s post, Flood’s attack on Moore gained momentum online and was further amplified by other Flood assets.
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Flood reports attacked Mr. Rubio, who is not seeking re-election, with corruption charges. Microsoft has been tracking influence operations surrounding Mr. Rubio since 2022.
Russia, China, and Iran all deny allegations that they interfere in U.S. political affairs.
Iran last week constructed a fake online persona known as “Bushnell’s Men” and told U.S. voters to sit out the election due to both candidates’ support for Israeli military operations, according to reports. I called out. (Photo credit: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Blackburn, who pushed for the Children’s Online Safety Act and has long campaigned for a ban on TikTok, called the popular video-sharing platform a “spy machine.”
“What they’re doing is they’re building a database of all the kids that are using that platform, and even the adults, and they’re using this to track you, to monitor you, to see what you’re seeing. It allows you to control things: what you say, what you listen to, what you think, and ultimately how you vote.”
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Blackburn said that if Republicans take power in the November elections, they will ban all Confucius Institutes (higher education centers run by academics affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party) and hold China “accountable for its role in forcing fentanyl on our people.” He said he would seek the approval of Taiwan’s Republican Party. independence from China.
Although the United States does not formally support or recognize Taiwan’s independence, it would arm the small island democracy against an encroaching Chinese military presence.
