U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed that a viral video spreading online showing mail-in ballots being destroyed in the key battleground suburb of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a hoax perpetrated by Russia as part of its covert effort to help elect former President Donald Trump.
. . . The video, which began circulating Thursday, shows a stack of sealed mail ballot envelopes on a table as an unidentified man proceeded to open them and tear up mail-in ballots with votes for Trump and return ballots for Harris.
"F--- Donald Trump," the man in the video said repeatedly as he ripped up the ballots.
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The intelligence officials have been holding a series of briefings with reporters in Washington detailing the latest efforts by Russia — China and Iran, as well — to meddle in the election to inform the public. They have also declassified top-secret intelligence about Russia's efforts, headed by President Vladimir Putin, and made it public in "Election Security Update" reports accompanying the briefings.
In the most recent briefing last Tuesday, officials said Russia in particular had ramped up its efforts to intervene and boost Trump's chances as the Nov. 5 election nears. And they said in the latest declassified memo that Russia is behind a fake video smearing Walz with false sexual abuse allegations. The intelligence officials also warned that Russia's efforts to help Trump, and Iran's efforts to hurt his candidacy due to his hardline policies toward Tehran, will continue after the election — especially if Trump contests a loss as he has strongly suggested he will.
And officials said on Sept. 23 that Russia also made and circulated a widely viewed fake video showing a young girl purporting to be a paralyzed victim of a hit-and-run car accident by Harris in San Francisco.