Russia Paid in Rubles to Target U.S. Patriots, Confederates, Fans of Malcolm X
“These people were not amateurs,” Facebook’s lawyer tells Congress
Displays showing social media posts are seen during a House Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 1.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A page for people who “support our brave Police Officers” targeting wives of policemen. A red banner that reads “I’m black and I’m proud!” aimed at people interested in Malcolm X. A post for “South United,” geared for fans of the Confederate Flag.
Russian actors paid rubles for each of those ads on Facebook’s news feed ahead of the U.S. election, targeting niche groups across a wide span of the electorate, according to the most detailed disclosure to date of the methods used to inflame divisions, sow discord and influence voting.