Former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has asserted that Russian outlet RT has a larger American audience than CNN, a claim that has reignited debates about media influence and disinformation. Clapper, who was instrumental in the Russiagate conspiracy theory, has consistently argued that RT played a role in influencing the 2016 US presidential election. His recent statement is part of a broader narrative of accusations against RT, which has faced significant challenges from the US government in recent years.
Since 2017, RT has been subjected to intense scrutiny and legal action in the United States. The Department of Justice compelled RT America to register as a foreign agent, a designation that has led to increased censorship and restrictions. This has included the denial of congressional press credentials and the eventual closure of RT America in 2022, following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and the imposition of sanctions on Russia. The network’s content has also been restricted and deleted from major digital platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, where RT had amassed a substantial following.
Further complicating the situation, the US has indicted two RT employees under charges related to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), money laundering, and efforts to covertly influence US audiences. Additionally, RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan and other senior staff have been sanctioned by the US over alleged attempts to influence the US election. Moscow has criticized these actions, calling them a reflection of the degradation of American democracy and its transformation into a ‘totalitarian neoliberal dictatorship.’ The ongoing tensions between RT and the US government underscore a complex interplay of media control, political influence, and international relations.