The Viral Video and Its Origins: A Fake Clip with Real-World Impact
In recent weeks, a video falsely claiming that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) paid millions of dollars to celebrities like Ben Stiller and Angelina Jolie to travel to Ukraine sparked outrage and confusion online. The video, designed to look like a clip from the entertainment channel E! News, actually originated from a disinformation campaign linked to Russian operatives. It first appeared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in a post from an account known for spreading Russian disinformation. The video quickly gained traction after being reposted by high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr., who used it as fodder for their attacks on USAID.
The video’s narrative aligned with a broader effort by Musk and others in the Trump administration to dismantle USAID, an agency that has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign aid since 1961. Working under the guise of a government efficiency campaign, Musk and his allies have taken control of USAID’s headquarters, frozen its grants, and announced plans to lay off nearly all of its employees. The agency’s dismantling has been accompanied by a wave of anger and misinformation online, fueled by right-wing influencers and accounts promoting conspiratorial claims about USAID’s activities.
The Role of Misinformation in the Dismantling of USAID
The fake video about celebrities being paid by USAID is just one example of a larger disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the agency. Researchers at Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub traced the video’s spread and identified it as part of an influence campaign known as Operation Overload or Matryoshka, named after the Russian nesting dolls. This campaign has produced dozens of similar fake videos about Russia’s war in Ukraine, all designed to undermine trust in Western institutions and promote Kremlin-aligned narratives.
The video’s claims were absurd: it alleged that Angelina Jolie received $20 million, Orlando Bloom $8 million, and Sean Penn $5 million from USAID for their visits to Ukraine. However, there is no evidence of such payments in USAID’s records. The agency’s programs are publicly available, and the claims have been thoroughly debunked. Yet, the video was shared widely on platforms like X, TikTok, and Truth Social, where it was amplified by right-wing influencers, conspiracy theorists, and even foreign leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
The spread of the video highlights how misinformation can exploit public ignorance about government operations and the lack of oversight over powerful figures like Musk, who has used his platform to amplify baseless attacks on USAID. As disinformation researcher Mike Rothschild noted, “He’s exploiting ignorance about the way government works, and the lack of oversight over anything he’s doing. All of it is incredibly dangerous, and happening right in front of us.”
The Larger Disinformation Ecosystem: How False Claims Gain Traction
The fake video about celebrities is part of a broader ecosystem of misinformation that has engulfed USAID in recent weeks. Other false claims have gone viral, including allegations that USAID funneled millions of dollars to media outlets like Politico, The New York Times, and the BBC. These claims are based on misleading interpretations of publicly available data about government subscriptions and grants. For example, Politico was falsely accused of receiving over $8 million from USAID, when in reality, the outlet received just $44,000 for subscriptions to its premium environmental and energy publication.
Despite these facts, the false claims were rapidly amplified by right-wing influencers and politicians, who used them to accuse Democrats of using USAID to fund a “fake news empire.” The misinformation spread so quickly that it even reached the Oval Office, where former President Donald Trump used his Truth Social account to denounce the government’s subscriptions to news outlets as “payoffs” for “creating good stories about the Democrats.” By Thursday, the White House had announced plans to cancel all Politico subscriptions, and the Agriculture Department followed suit.
The rapid spread of these false claims underscores how vulnerable social media platforms are to manipulation, particularly when influential figures like Musk and Trump amplify baseless accusations. As Clemson University researcher Darren L. Linvill noted, “Given how much time Musk spends on his platform, it was probably inevitable that some fabricated Russian message would resonate with him, and this one seemed almost designed to do just that.”
The Convergence of Right-Wing Narratives and Russian Propaganda
The fake video and the broader disinformation campaign against USAID reflect a troubling convergence between right-wing narratives in the United States and propaganda emanating from the Kremlin. Researchers have long noted that Russian disinformation often seeks to exploit divisions within American society, particularly on issues like foreign aid, immigration, and the role of government. The attacks on USAID are a prime example of this strategy, as they align with Russia’s efforts to discredit Western institutions and undermine support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression.
The video’s claim that USAID is secretly funding celebrity visits to Ukraine to boost Volodymyr Zelensky’s popularity is a classic example of Russian disinformation. It plays into longstanding Kremlin narratives that the United States is covertly manipulating events in Ukraine to advance its own interests. By promoting this false claim, the video not only discredits USAID but also reinforces Russia’s portrayal of itself as a victim of Western interference.
The spread of this misinformation has been further amplified by right-wing influencers and politicians who have embraced conspiratorial thinking about USAID’s activities. Some have even gone so far as to accuse the agency of funding a “fake news empire” to promote leftist narratives, a claim that has been debunked as baseless. Yet, the damage has already been done, as the fake video and other false claims have contributed to a toxic environment of mistrust and polarization.
The Global Implications: How Disinformation Benefits Autocratic Regimes
The disinformation campaign against USAID has also had global implications, particularly in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The fake video and other false claims have been seized upon by autocratic leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, who used the allegations to accuse USAID of funding leftist media in his country. Orbán’s post on X, which falsely linked Politico’s subscriptions to USAID funding, was viewed more than 26 million times, further amplifying the misinformation.
Similarly, Chinese state media outlets have used the false claims to attack USAID’s activities in their country. Chen Weihua, a prominent columnist for China Daily, suggested that USAID’s funding of media outlets was evidence that Western journalists in China were “all bought” by intelligence agencies. These claims are part of a broader effort by authoritarian regimes to discredit independent media and justify their own restrictions on press freedom.
For Russia and China, the conservative uproar over USAID has been a gift. Both nations have long accused the agency of supporting subversive programs in their countries, and the current disinformation campaign has provided them with fresh ammunition. By framing USAID as a tool of Western interference, these regimes can justify their own crackdowns on civil society and independent media, while also undermining international support for Ukraine.
The Broader Implications: Dismantling Trust in Institutions
The fake video and the broader disinformation campaign against USAID are part of a larger assault on trust in institutions, both in the United States and around the world. By promoting baseless claims about USAID’s activities, figures like Musk and Trump are not only undermining the agency’s work but also eroding public faith in the integrity of government institutions.
The dismantling of USAID has been accompanied by a torrent of online attacks, many of which are based on false or misleading information. These attacks have been fueled by right-wing influencers and conspiracy theorists who see the agency as a symbol of the “deep state” or a tool of global elites. By framing USAID as a corrupt and wasteful institution, these critics have been able to justify its dismantling, even as they ignore the agency’s critical role in promoting global health, education, and democracy.
The implications of this disinformation campaign extend far beyond USAID. It reflects a broader trend of using false or misleading information to attack institutions that are essential to democratic governance. As disinformation researcher Darren L. Linvill noted, the spread of such lies is “incredibly dangerous, and happening right in front of us.”
Conclusion: The Dangers of Disinformation and the Need for Facts
The fake video about USAID paying celebrities to travel to Ukraine is a stark reminder of the dangers of disinformation in the digital age. By exploiting public ignorance and the lack of oversight over powerful figures like Musk, this campaign has been able to manipulate public opinion and justify the dismantling of a critical government agency.
The spread of this misinformation also highlights the need for greater accountability on social media platforms and the importance of fact-based discourse in public life. As the United States and other democracies face increasing threats from authoritarian regimes and their disinformation campaigns, it is more important than ever to defend the integrity of institutions like USAID and promote transparency and accountability in government.
Ultimately, the fight against disinformation requires a collective effort from policymakers, tech companies, and the public. By supporting independent journalism, promoting media literacy, and demanding accountability from those in power, we can begin to rebuild trust in our institutions and counter the forces of deception that threaten our democracy.
