Biden audio first shared by 'Russian agent' thrives online

[swag]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The leaked recordings were hardly a political bombshell: The apparent phone conversations between Joe Biden and Ukraine’s then-president largely confirm Biden’s account of his dealings in Ukraine.

But the choppy audio, disclosed by a Ukrainian lawmaker whom U.S. officials described Thursday as an “active Russian agent” who has sought to spread online misinformation about Biden, was nonetheless seized on by President Donald Trump as well as his supporters to promote conspiracy theories about the Democratic nominee. Social media posts and videos about the recordings have been viewed millions of times, according to an Associated Press analysis, even though Trump’s own administration says they rely on “false and unsubstantiated narratives.”

The audio’s proliferation on social media shows how foreign operations aimed at influencing the U.S. election are still easily reaching Americans, despite efforts by Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to rein in such meddling.

Since there’s no evidence the heavily edited recordings have been stolen or were entirely fabricated, they’ve been able to flourish online, skirting new policies social media companies rolled out to prevent foreign interference in this year’s elections. And unlike in 2016, when Russia used bogus social media accounts or bots to wage a misinformation campaign, this time they’re being spread by legitimate American social media users.

“It’s certainly an influence campaign,” Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation fellow at the nonpartisan Wilson Center, said of the recordings. “It’s misleading to an audience that doesn’t have the full picture.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/292da15771d83932249b32873774f8ae

[PSPS]

1. LOL. "despite efforts by Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to rein in such meddling."

There has never been any serious effort to "rein in," only to profit from such interference while saying they're "trying."

[iluvtennis]

3. + 1. nt

[Claustrum]

2. And there it is, they are starting their Ukraine BS

Brace yourself because there will be more to come including what Barr will do for Trump.

[karynnj]

9. Important correction They started this months ago and it is not resonating beyond the Trump base

The Trump base for months since at least spring when Giuliani pushed this has been anticipating this becoming HUGE. This is the root of Trump and others calling Obama, Biden, etc traitors. This morning MSNBC had a wild eyed Giuliani speaking of this proving that Ukraine, not Russia, did the hacking and that Biden and others were involved in what sounds like money laundering. He whined that the media ignored the 12 pages of "proof" he gave Pompeo in May. This as he asserted that he had no reason to know that he was speaking to a Russian spy. He also tried to claim that spy was not the reason he believed the Ukraine, not Russia, and the Biden smears.

As this article notes, Biden's words on the obviously manipulated tape are consistent with his comments when VP and when running. This means, even with Russian help, they have nothing that proves Biden did anything wrong or different than his and the Obama administration's public positions. Contrast Trump in public and in private!

I do agree with you that this is likely to be pushed more and it clearly looks like Barr is attempting to use Durham to give weight to some of this. The Senate bipartisan report is 180 degrees from that theory. I think Biden and his team are taking this very seriously. I would not be surprised if they have already put together a strong, concise response to when this is not just coming from conspiracy theorists, which is what Giuliani has become.

[Claustrum]

10. Agreed. They definitely started long ago (remember he got impeached for it after all)

but it got quiet because it didn't resonate. What I simply meant is that as we go closer to the election, Trump and the GOP will try to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Or make it so dirty and noisy that people tune out and not vote.

I definitely hope you are right about Biden's team response and moreover, I just hope the electorate will get smart and not believe it.

[lagomorph777]

18. "efforts by Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to rein in such meddling"

Is that AP's lame attempt at humor? Falsebook and Twit are making millions, selling lies.

[2naSalit]

4. I advise my friends and relatives that...

I have made up my mind and there is only one way to vote no matter what crap gets thrown out against my guy. Ignore the crap, turn it off and find something constructive to do with your time and energy, just make sure you vote as soon as you can.

[Thekaspervote]

5. Excellent advice

[2naSalit]

6. This past month...

My anxiety level has been through the roof. I have to follow that advice in order to keep myself well. I'm very thankful I have a peaceful place right outside my door, so that's where I go.

[Claustrum]

11. While I agree with you on some level, if there are any "undecided" people around you

You should still pay attention and try to rebut whatever BS they are going to throw at Biden to keep the "undecided" person from wavering with their vote for Biden.

[2naSalit]

12. I do that...

They call me for advice because I'm a political scientist and they like to talk over what they hear. After the conversation over what is and isn't, I give them that advice.

[pandr32]

13. I agree.

[Illumination]

7. Try as he may, the Tramp won't be able to make anything stick with Biden. Who

could be any more corrupt than the Murder-in-Chief? Satan?

[zipplewrath]

8. He's a know commodity

It worked in 2016 because the GOP had spent a good decade developing an image of the Clintons that led to her very low approval ratings. The Russians merely leveraged that image with their social media efforts. The problem for the GOP and the Russians is Joe already has an image with the American voter and social media campaigns aren't going to do much to change that image.

[onetexan]

14. Correct, and much as i love Hillary, she is hugely disliked w conservatives so any negative press

just added to the narrative that she is a shrewd, scheming, ambitious woman out to take the presidency for herself. Bill's baggage and her unpopularity weaponized by the right did her in, along w/ Comey & Russian meddling.

This time around is definitely different. Biden's poll numbers have been consistent and nothing they've thrown at him so far sticks. His clean record, empathy and relatability to the common people (having suffered loss and bouncing back) have really struck a chord with many Americans, including some on the right weary of the Con's corruption.

[paleotn]

16. Exactly. Such things don't change on a dime...

and they've run out of time with Biden.

[paleotn]

15. Warmed over bullshit. Won't work anyway.

His approval and disapproval have been statistically rock steady since 2017. Minds are made up. I don't think there's much undecided out there and rational folks aren't fooled anymore by internet spew. The irrational are already in the Donnie camp. Russia and Trump fighting last year's war.

[LudwigPastorius]

17. "It's misleading to an audience that doesn't have the full picture."

Full picture?

Trumpfolken don't even have a single piece.

[Ligyron]

19. I don't suppose you're related to Jocko are you?

Because that would be very cool if you were.

[LudwigPastorius]

20. Nope, but...

He was one of the inspirations for my name.

[Ligyron]

21. Cool!

[npk]

22. This is exactly why the Biden camp need to stay on this

Don't ignore it and don't let trump try and control the narrative. We know these kind of stories are going to intensify as we get closer to the election.