Tim Pool speaks up after DOJ indicts two RT employees for covertly funding right-wing US media house

WASHINGTON, DC: Podcaster Tim Pool has opened after a conservative media house was charged for taking large sums of money from the Russian government to create and distribute content for the US audience with hidden messages.

On Wednesday, September 4, the department stated in its press release, “An indictment charging Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, also known as Kostya, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, also known as Lena, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are at large.”

“The Justice Department has charged two employees of RT [Russia Today], a Russian state-controlled media outlet, in a $10 million scheme to create and distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging,” said Attorney General Merrick B Garland via statement.

What did Tim Pool say about the DOJ indictment?

As per the reports, Tennessee-based Tenet Media, which has right-leaning online commentators on its roster, was involved in the $10 million scheme to create and distribute content for the US audience by secretly adhering to a Russian government-backed influence operation.

Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Lauren Southern have all worked with the company, per Mother Jones.

Pool, in his statement on X, claimed to be a victim of the scheme saying, "Should these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims. I cannot speak for anyone else at the company as to what they do or to what they are instructed."

He explained, “The Culture War Podcast was licensed by Tenet Media, it existed well before any license agreement with Tenet and it will continue to exist after any such agreement expires. The only change with the agreement was that the location of the live broadcast moved to Tenet's Youtube Channel.”

Internet labels Tim Pool 'a traitor' for working with Tenet Media

Netizens blasted Tim Pool’s defense after two RT employees were indicted over an alleged Russian government-backed influence operation. A few called him "a traitor" and accused him of pushing the Russian agenda through his podcast shows. 

A user shared on X, "I mean sounds like literally paid by russian state media yikes."

"Tim, We’ll be sure to extend to you the same benefit of the doubt and courtesy that you would extend to a liberal that was in the exact same position you are now. 🤔," a second wrote.

One person said "By 'leaked,' you mean the DOJ issued a press release and made the indictment public?"

"You’re a coward, you’re a traitor, and your blood lies killed Ukrainian kids. You will be held accountable under the law. Cheated at life and got caught. Fake followers. Fake everything. The train is coming down the tracks," another thrashed the podcaster.

Someone else joined in, "So you got approached to record a video with HIGHLY specific talking points that furthered Russia's interests and you just...didn't notice anything weird about this at all? You're a literal Russian stooge now lol."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.