YouTube deletes Russia-funded channel hosting some pro-Trump influencers
YouTube has deleted the channel of Tenet Media, a right-wing media outlet. This action follows a Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment that connected Tenet to Russian funding. The indictment suggested that Russia financed Tenet's operations and influenced it to hire well-known right-wing online commentators. Prior to its removal, Tenet's YouTube channel had approximately 316,000 subscribers and featured content from right-wing pundits including Tim Pool and Benny Johnson. Users clicking the channel's link now see message about removal for guideline violations.
Online presence post-YouTube removal
Despite the removal of its YouTube channel, Tenet Media's website remains active. The site lists Pool, Johnson, Dave Rubin, Lauren Southern, Taylor Hansen, and Matt Christiansen as part of its talent roster. However, many of these individuals have distanced themselves from the company following the indictment. Tenet's other social media accounts on platforms such as TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook are still accessible but haven't been updated since late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Tenet Media's channel survives on Rumble
Tenet Media continues to maintain a video channel on Rumble—a platform that positions itself as an alternative to YouTube. This channel hosts all the same videos as its now-defunct YouTube counterpart but has a significantly smaller following of just 11,500 users. In response to DOJ's indictment and after "careful review," YouTube confirmed that it was "terminating the Tenet Media channel and four channels operated by its owner Lauren Chen as part of our ongoing efforts to combat coordinated influence operations."
DOJ indictment accuses Kremlin of funding
The DOJ indictment, filed on Wednesday, accuses the Kremlin of secretly funneling $10 million into a "Tennessee-based online content creation company" later identified as Tenet Media. The indictment alleges that this was part of an influence operation to disseminate pro-Russia propaganda and misinformation on social media. The operation was reportedly executed by two Russian state media employees who laundered the money through a network of foreign shell entities.
Tenet Media's role in alleged Russian influence operation
The DOJ indictment alleges that Tenet Media was tasked with creating English-language videos for various social media platforms. These videos were said to echo views that align with the Russian government's interest in amplifying US domestic divisions. The indictment does not accuse the right-wing pundits hired by Tenet of any wrongdoing, suggesting they were misled by the company's founders and the Russian operatives.
