# Washington Post: Russian propaganda effort helped spread ‘fake news’ during election, experts say **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 25, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945 "2016-11-25T03:41:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/341 "2016-12-15T20:10:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > …I hope you realize that typing things like “Orange Hitler” and “TinyHands” around here will motivate other people to type “Jugears”. I’m more curious why it is frequently written “JugearS.” ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/342 "2016-12-15T20:23:35Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [U.S. Officials: Putin Personally Involved in U.S. Election Hack](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-officials-putin-personally-involved-u-s-election-hack-n696146) > > Nothing to see here, right? Hell, it could be the Chinese. The Peruvians. Some 400 pound guy sitting in his room. That’s it - a 400 pound guy. We need fact check! Can we see the original material or at least get a name instead of an anonymous source? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/343 "2016-12-15T20:30:32Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m more curious why it is frequently written “JugearS.” The capital S? no clue. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/344 "2016-12-15T20:30:41Z")
It’s a 400 pound guy, Octo! I’m gonna call him Barry. You? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/345 "2016-12-15T20:35:35Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Friend of known thief - friend of thief Person who violated law and destroyed evidence - bank. Person looking for illegally destroyed evidence - bank robber. Up is down. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/346 "2016-12-15T20:39:38Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > It’s a 400 pound guy, Octo! I’m gonna call him Barry. You? It’s probably the Russians. But it’s not Trump’s problem. It’s the DNC’s and to some extent Obama’s. And in this era of REAL news I want real sources and evidence. Not just partisan allegations. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/347 "2016-12-15T20:44:40Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m more curious why it is frequently written “JugearS.” I considered that the capital letters might be intended to represent the prominent “ears” on either side of the President’s head, but that’s so vapidly stupid and juvenile that it can’t possibly be what **doorhinge** is trying to convey. Truthfully, I feel a little embarrassed even saying it. I hope he’ll consent to explain the actual meaning, which I can only assume must be something hilariously subtle, yet profound, and devilishly clever. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/348 "2016-12-15T20:52:31Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I considered that the capital letters might be intended to represent the prominent “ears” on either side of the President’s head, but that’s so vapidly stupid and juvenile that it can’t possibly be what **doorhinge** is trying to convey. Truthfully, I feel a little embarrassed even saying it. > > I hope he’ll consent to explain the actual meaning, which I can only assume must be something hilariously subtle, yet profound, and devilishly clever. Maybe he’s pronouncing the J like a Y, so it’s actually Yuuuge Arse. More likely, it’s just an awkwardly inept attempt at a dig. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/349 "2016-12-15T20:54:40Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, and I’m not trying to tell you that you can’t call Trump names (IDGAF what you call him), but I hope you realize that typing things like “Orange Hitler” and “TinyHands” around here will motivate other people to type “Jugears”. It ends up dragging the whole board a ways down the scale of respectability, but carry on if you wish. I agree it will cause some people to reflexively hit back. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve it though. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/350 "2016-12-15T21:02:10Z")
You are the recipient of a lecture on civility and propriety when engaged in refined debate. You should sit quietly at his feet and take notes. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/351 "2016-12-15T21:04:03Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > It’s probably the Russians. But it’s not Trump’s problem. It’s the DNC’s and to some extent Obama’s. And in this era of REAL news I want real sources and evidence. Not just partisan allegations. It is Trump’s problem, or will be in 40-odd days. Did you forget he’s the President elect? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/352 "2016-12-15T21:14:02Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The capital S? no clue. So, anyway, a snail wins the biggest Powerball evah! Millions and millions, grossly rich. Next day, he’s down at the Cadillac dealership, asking about getting a customized Caddy. The salesman sees dollar signs, and is eager to comply, asking what modifications the wealthy snail might want? “Well, first off, gotta be a lot bigger! A _lot_ bigger! Three, four more feet front, back and top.” “Certainly, sir. Of course, it will go slower, being so big and heavy.” “Fix that! Mount a jet engine on it, want it to go 200 miles per hour in the straightaway! But most important, a giant gold letter “S” mounted on the front! Gotta have that!” The salesman in naturally perplexed. “A giant “S”? Does that have some special meaning, or something?” "Nah, but being a snail, even a rich snail…isn’t classy. I want people to be envious, to gaze in wonder as I _zip_ past them, and say “Look at that giant S-car go!” ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/353 "2016-12-15T21:41:05Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > It’s probably the Russians. But it’s not Trump’s problem. It’s the DNC’s and to some extent Obama’s. And in this era of REAL news I want real sources and evidence. Not just partisan allegations. If the Russians are purposefully interfering with US elections, how in the hell is that not the president of the United States’ problem? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/354 "2016-12-15T21:47:59Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > If the Russians are purposefully interfering with US elections, how in the hell is that not the president of the United States’ problem? He actually meant that it’s not the problem of trump pimping trolls. Which is true to a certain point. But not beyond that. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/355 "2016-12-15T22:24:37Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > If the Russians are purposefully interfering with US elections, how in the hell is that not the president of the United States’ problem? Did you not read what you quoted? These are simple sentences. Did I not mention President Obama and how it is to some extent his problem? Especially since he knew. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/356 "2016-12-16T00:51:17Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > But anyway, according to the new reports (NPR I think), Obama resisted publicly calling out Russia on the hacking and election interference because, ironically, he didn’t want to be accused of interfering with the ongoing election. Which he most certainly would have been. I heard from two media sources (CNN? or Fox?, definitely not NPR) today that Obama had resisted publicly calling out Russia on the hacking and election interference because he didn’t want to be accused of interfering with the ongoing election - in October of 2015. Wasn’t that considerate of Obama? A whole year before the actual general election. If true, it makes actual President Obama look even more incompetent. Why allow the Putin to screw with/influence U.S. elections for a whole year, and then try to place the blame on private citizen Trump? Hasn’t Obama said he has a phone and a pen? Couldn’t Obama have sent a Presidential request to the NSA, FBI, CIA, and NPR to locate the source of the interference, and to develop plans to effectively deal with it last year? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/357 "2016-12-16T00:57:41Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > It is Trump’s problem, or will be in 40-odd days. Did you forget he’s the President elect? “_Or will be in 40-odd days_”? Isn’t Obama still the current POTUS? Isn’t Obama still in charge of something in the Whitehouse? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/358 "2016-12-16T01:02:17Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I should have been more clear with my question. I meant, if you were President, what would you do to respond to Russian cyber attacks? (I don’t really care what authorities you would inform if you found your personal email was hacked.) (I’m not responsible for what you meant to post.) ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/359 "2016-12-16T01:48:25Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I heard from two media sources (CNN? or Fox?, definitely not NPR) today that Obama had resisted publicly calling out Russia on the hacking and election interference because he didn’t want to be accused of interfering with the ongoing election - in October of 2015. Wasn’t that considerate of Obama? A whole year before the actual general election. > > If true, it makes actual President Obama look even more incompetent. Why allow the Putin to screw with/influence U.S. elections for a whole year, and then try to place the blame on private citizen Trump? Hasn’t Obama said he has a phone and a pen? Couldn’t Obama have sent a Presidential request to the NSA, FBI, CIA, and NPR to locate the source of the interference, and to develop plans to effectively deal with it last year? That timeline doesn’t make sense. If the hacking occurred before October 2015, how could the leaked e-mails include information about stuff that happened during the Clinton / Sanders primary campaign in _spring 2016_? I think you must have mis-heard. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/360 "2016-12-16T02:10:24Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > (I’m not responsible for what you meant to post.) Once more: how would you respond to the hacking by Russia if you were President? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945.md?page=19)