Associated Press
YARDLEY, Pa. (AP) — U.S. officials confirmed on Friday that Russian actors were responsible for a viral video that misleadingly showed mail-in ballots purportedly being destroyed in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting the campaign of Donald Trump.
The misleading video gained significant traction on social media platforms Thursday but was swiftly debunked within three hours by local election officials and law enforcement authorities after vigilant citizens reported it.
In a statement released by the FBI, U.S. officials indicated that they believe the video was both “manufactured and amplified” by Russian operatives, characterizing it as part of “Moscow’s broader effort to raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the U.S. election and to sow discord among American citizens.”
This crucial information was disseminated by the collaborative effort of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The Bucks County Board of Elections quickly identified the video as fraudulent, noting that the envelope and other materials depicted “are clearly not authentic materials belonging to or distributed by” the board.
The rapid dismantling of this fabricated video highlights how election officials have honed their ability to respond swiftly to false narratives in recent years, especially since a significant number of American voters grew increasingly skeptical about the voting process following the tumultuous 2020 election. However, the video’s intricate mimicry of ballots from a pivotal county in this year’s presidential race served as a stark reminder of the commitment foreign actors have toward undermining confidence in the U.S. electoral system, particularly in the critical days leading up to voting.
The viral video depicted an individual sorting through what appeared to be mail ballots seemingly labeled as originating from Bucks County. The person, portrayed as Black, was seen tearing up ballots marked for Trump while leaving those marked for Vice President Kamala Harris untouched.
Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, who specializes in analyzing disinformation networks, noted that the user responsible for popularizing the Bucks County video on the social platform X had previously been instrumental in amplifying various other false narratives, including the inaugural one tracked by his team in August 2023.
Moreover, Linvill observed that the style and visuals of the latest video echoed patterns seen in other disinformation efforts from the same network.
The producers of the video intentionally utilized a Black actor who spoke with a foreign accent, a tactic potentially designed to exacerbate existing racial divisions within the United States, according to Josephine Lukito, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, who has extensively researched Russian disinformation strategies.
“This trend tends to amplify racism and exploit existing fears surrounding illegal voting and immigration,” Lukito asserted. “Russian disinformation is adept at taking advantage of these societal issues.”
Once the video was disproven, the X user who initially shared it swiftly deleted their original post while also sharing multiple messages from other accounts denouncing the video as fraudulent.
Among those condemning the viral misinformation was America PAC, a super political action committee established by billionaire Elon Musk to support Trump’s re-election campaign. They publicly denounced the video, presenting a marked contrast to the often rampant misinformation that circulates on X, which is frequently exacerbated by Musk himself. The PAC, however, declined to provide further comments when requested.
Several immediate indicators revealed that the Bucks County video was fabricated. Under Pennsylvania law, election officials are mandated to wait until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day to begin processing mail-in ballots and preparing them for counting.
Additional telltale signs of fabrication included the dark green color of the outer envelopes in the video, which should actually be a shade of kelly green, and the glossy appearance of the envelopes, which in reality possess a matte finish. Furthermore, none of the envelopes in the video displayed voters’ return addresses.
The circulation of the video spurred citizen complaints from various quarters across Bucks County, prompting a call from the Yardley Borough police chief to District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, who realized the gravity of the situation while in a pretrial conference on Thursday and began an investigation immediately upon learning of the video’s distribution.
“At that moment, we launched our inquiry into the video and ultimately determined it was indeed fabricated,” Schorn recounted in a phone interview on Friday.
While Schorn hesitated to disclose the methods by which authorities reached their conclusion, fearing that potential fraudsters could adapt their tactics, she mentioned her office has designated two attorneys to scrutinize fraud allegations, stating they’ll be on call “24/7” on Election Day.
Bipartisan agreement emerged from both Republican and Democratic members in the county, who condemned the video as misleading and expressed genuine concern about its potential impact on voter turnout.
“To us, this is disinformation aimed at scaring voters and discouraging them from utilizing mail-in ballots or any form of on-demand voting that employs the mail-in ballot system,” the Bucks County Republican Committee stated. “We’ve witnessed underhanded tactics this year, ranging from the defacement of signs to threats against Trump supporters, and now this video meant to instill fear among Bucks County voters.”
Pennsylvania Senator Steve Santarsiero, chair of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, decried the video as a deliberate attempt to “cast doubt on our vote-by-mail system and, ultimately, the integrity of the Presidential Election” in a statement.
Officials expressed satisfaction over the rapid recognition and handling of this and other harmful falsehoods during this election cycle, demonstrating an improved response to disinformation tactics.
“I don’t at all blame Americans for wanting to be reassured that the system can be trusted,” Schorn remarked. “Given the presence of criminal entities determined to undermine processes, their concerns are valid. However, I felt reassured by our swift response yesterday, demonstrating that the system worked as intended.”
___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Interview with Darren Linvill, Co-Director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Darren. The recent incident involving the viral video about mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania has raised significant concerns about disinformation during election season. Can you explain how this video came to light and the role Russian operatives played in its creation?
Darren Linvill: Thank you for having me. The video first gained traction on social media late last week, appearing to show an individual destroying mail-in ballots purportedly from Bucks County. However, U.S. officials, including the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, confirmed that it was a product of Russian disinformation efforts. They characterized it as a deliberate attempt to undermine trust in the electoral process and provoke discord among Americans.
Interviewer: How did local officials manage to debunk the video so quickly?
Darren Linvill: The swift response from local election officials is commendable. Alert citizens reported the video, prompting immediate investigations. The Bucks County Board of Elections identified the materials as fraudulent almost right away, pointing out discrepancies like the envelope colors and finishes, which do not match authentic ballots. Their rapid action reflects improvements in protocols for addressing misinformation in recent years.
Interviewer: The video depicted a Black individual destroying ballots that seemed to favor Donald Trump while leaving those for Kamala Harris untouched. Josephine Lukito suggested this could be an intentional move to exploit racial tensions. Can you elaborate on the implications of that tactic?
Darren Linvill: Absolutely. The choice of visuals and the narrative is quite telling. It’s a tactic often employed in disinformation campaigns to exacerbate existing societal divisions. By using a Black actor with a foreign accent, the creators of the video aimed to amplify fears surrounding illegal voting while perpetuating racial stereotypes. This aligns with broader Russian disinformation strategies, which leverage societal issues to create chaos and mistrust.
Interviewer: Given the patterns you’ve studied, what other risks do you see going forward as we approach the upcoming election?
Darren Linvill: The risk of disinformation is very real, especially as we get closer to the election. Historical patterns show that foreign actors will likely increase their efforts to spread false narratives. We need to remain vigilant, particularly on social media platforms where misinformation can spread rapidly. Continued public awareness and education about how to recognize credible sources of information are crucial as we navigate this landscape.
Interviewer: In the wake of this incident, how can citizens help combat disinformation?
Darren Linvill: Citizens play a key role in fighting disinformation. By being proactive—reporting suspicious content, verifying information before sharing, and supporting local electoral integrity efforts—they can help stem the tide of false narratives. It’s important for individuals to think critically about the information they encounter and to rely on established, trustworthy sources for their news.
Interviewer: Thank you, Darren, for shedding light on these crucial issues surrounding disinformation and election integrity.
Darren Linvill: Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation, and I’m glad to share in it.
Interviewer: Given the patterns you’ve studied, what other risks do you see arising from disinformation campaigns like this one, especially as we approach critical election periods in the future?
Darren Linvill: The risks are significant and multifaceted. First, we have to consider the impact on voter behavior. Misleading information can discourage people from participating in elections or using mail-in ballots, directly affecting voter turnout. There’s also the risk of severe polarization—disinformation often exploits existing divisions within society, leading to increased hostility between different groups. Additionally, these campaigns can undermine trust in democratic institutions, which is particularly perilous as we rely on the legitimacy of our electoral processes. If the public loses faith in these systems, it could lead to long-term repercussions for democracy itself.
Interviewer: What steps can be taken to combat disinformation and protect the integrity of upcoming elections?
Darren Linvill: A multi-pronged approach is necessary. First, media literacy programs should be implemented to help the public critically assess the information they encounter, particularly on social media. Secondly, social media platforms must enhance their monitoring and fact-checking processes to quickly identify and flag misleading content. Collaboration between government agencies and tech companies is crucial to mitigate the spread of false narratives in real-time. Lastly, transparency from election officials about procedures and protocols can help build public trust in the electoral process. The more informed citizens are about how voting works, the less susceptible they become to disinformation tactics.
Interviewer: Thank you, Darren. This discussion highlights the urgent need for vigilance as we navigate the complexities of information in our digital age, especially in the context of elections.
Darren Linvill: Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation to have, and understanding these dynamics is key to preserving democracy.
