Kremlin Crackdown

Plus, pints of generosity.

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Friday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: New details emerge about the 14-year-old suspect and victims in the deadliest school shooting this year (CNN)

  • World: Macron Names EU's Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s New Prime Minister (U.S. News)

  • Business: Verizon is buying Frontier in $20B deal to strengthen its fiber network (AP)

  • Technology: DJI takes another crack at palm-sized drones, and this one is $199 (TechCrunch)

  • Sports: 2024 NFL playoffs predictions: Experts pick which teams earn spots in the postseason (USA Today)

And of course, some good news: Strangers buy 200 meals for homeless through pub app.

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🇺🇸 One high schooler, one bold idea, and a teacher who... well, didn’t see the vision. Spoiler: history did. Click here to become a premium subscriber and unravel the full story!

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Right: Kamala Harris' Banana Republic on Free Speech, David Harsanyi, Washington Examiner

Right: Trump's All-of-the-Above Plan To Cut Energy Costs in Half, Editorial Board, New York Post

Right: Dems' Election Shenanigans Coming to a Town Near You Findlay & Powers, The Federalist

Left: Why Harris May Need To Move Away From Biden, Stephen Collinson, CNN

Left: The Dem Who Says America Will Be Fine if Trump Wins, Russell Berman, The Atlantic

RUSSIA

Kremlin Crackdown

Today’s Top Story: The U.S. has charged and sanctioned several Kremlin-linked media figures and outlets for election interference, accusing Russian state-funded RT of paying $10 million to a Tennessee company for hidden propaganda and seizing 32 domains used for spreading AI-generated false narratives.

Reporting from the Right: 2 Russia-based RT employees indicted by US, internet domains seized in election influence probe (Fox News)

Reporting from the Left: Russia accused of trying to influence US voters through online campaign (The Guardian)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

American Enemies Attempting to Interfere

The Top Argument From The Right: All of America’s Enemies Are Seeking to Influence the Election, Noah Rothman, National Review: “…some of the Russian efforts to manipulate voters and influence election outcomes in the U.S. are more overt than others. … The current information environment is hardly the Wild West, but the proliferation of freelancers and entrepreneurial media ventures has made it more difficult for the casual news consumer to sort out facts from falsehoods. The mainstream press should not escape blame for this condition. In abdicating its responsibility to vet candidates dispassionately, the Fourth Estate has created a market for alternative sources of information. There is no barrier to entry into that market that America’s enemies cannot overcome. And yet, the most effective defense against bias is not to shield yourself from it but to broaden and vary your media diet. A wide range of sources helps a reader establish perspective, identify slanted or manipulative coverage, and assess an outlet or author’s intentions by seeing both what is being said and what is being conveniently omitted. … There will always be a demand for anti-American propaganda among those who want to believe the very worst about their country and its citizens.”

Honorable Mention #1: Two Russians indicted and internet domains seized in DOJ election interference inquiry, Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Right-Wing Groups Allegedly Implicated

The Top Argument From The Left: DOJ alleges Russia funded US media company linked to right-wing social media stars, Zachary Cohen et al., CNN: “The unnamed Tennessee-based company that the Justice Department alleges was being funded by Russian operatives working as part of a Kremlin-orchestrated influence operation targeting the 2024 US election is Tenet Media, which is linked to right-wing commentators with millions of subscribers on YouTube and other social media platforms, according to a US official briefed on the matter. The indictment unsealed in New York’s Southern District accused two employees of RT, the Kremlin’s media arm, of funneling nearly $10 million to an unidentified company, described only as “Company 1” in court documents. CNN has independently confirmed that “Company 1” is Tenet Media, which is a platform for independent content creators. It is self-described as a “network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues,” according to its website, which matches language contained in the newly unsealed indictment. The goal of the operation, according to prosecutors, was to fuel pro-Russian narratives, in part, by pushing content and news articles favoring Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and others who the Kremlin deemed to be friendlier to its interests.”

Honorable Mention #1: Right-wing media group allegedly took $10 million in Russian financing: DOJ indictment, Griffin Eckstein, Salon.

Honorable Mention #2: DOJ Bombshell Alleges MAGA Media Group Is Backed by Russian Money, Owen Lavine, Daily Beast.

FLAG THIS

2020 Polling Flashback

A Pew Research Center survey conducted from July 27 to August 2, 2020, revealed that 75% of Americans believe it is likely that Russia or other foreign governments would attempt to influence the 2020 presidential election, with 44% deeming it "very likely." This represented an increase from 67% in October 2018 which expected foreign interference in the midterms and a 12 percentage point rise in those seeing it as very likely (Pew Research Center).

Are you concerned about foreign interference in the 2024 election?

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WATERCOOLER

Benedict Arnold Returns, Better Arguments, Olfactory Memories

On This Day in 1781, British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, a former Patriot officer already infamous and much maligned for betraying the United States the previous year, adds to his notoriety by ordering his British command to burn New London, Connecticut.

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While most hydration supplements overload your body with unnecessary sodium and sugars, Native Hydrate contains precisely what you need – high-quality amino acids, essential electrolytes, and a careful balance of nutrients to support optimal hydration and cellular renewal.

Just mix one scoop into water or your preferred beverage to enjoy a range of benefits, including increased muscle strength, and improved bladder health, and optimal hydration and cellular renewal.

With its delicious flavors and powerful hydration benefits, Native Hydrate is the perfect companion for all your summer adventures. And with savings of up to 44% off, plus free shipping and a free gift with every order, there's no reason not to stock up now.

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