# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/81 "2016-12-10T04:06:36Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > And if they reveal some really damning information, half the country won’t believe it. Seriously. There could be video of Trump and Putin hanging out, going over exactly what would happen and it wouldn’t change their beliefs. Question: what _would_ happen if something insanely damning is found? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/82 "2016-12-10T04:39:21Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Seriously. There could be video of Trump and Putin hanging out, going over exactly what would happen and it wouldn’t change their beliefs. > Question: what _would_ happen if something insanely damning is found? I’ve been wondering the same thing. I don’t for a moment expect this to happen, but theoretically, what if they revealed concrete information that PA, WI, and MI all had their elections rigged by Russia; either by machine hacks, absentee ballots, or whatever? The states get to choose their electors in whatever manner they see fit. So what if, for example, PA’S Republican legislature refused to do anything about it? Maybe they’ll insist that the evidence is fake or that Trump would have won regardless. I suppose that SCOTUS could order a new election in those states, but is there enough time? Or maybe a divided court wouldn’t do anything and we’d be stuck with a clearly illegitimate President. ---
**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 10, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/83 "2016-12-10T05:18:46Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Your attempts to invalidate this term are sad. > **[Hacking the presidential election just isn't possible (yet)](https://mashable.com/article/hacking-voting-election-not-rigged)** > > The possible "rigged election" you're hearing about is a fiction, here's why. Here’s a story with some quotes from named sources, including President Obama, who say hacking the election is impossible. Now that the Democrats lost, secret anonymous sources say the Russians did it? How convenient. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/84 "2016-12-10T05:34:21Z")
Which might be entirely truthful. The important thing is, of course, that they tried. The plot sickens: Russia and Exxon were on the verge of closing a major oil deal. Putin is showering honors on Rex Tillerson, Exxon CEO. Then, the sanctions regime on Russia put the ol’ kibosh on that happy merging. Presumably, that deal could be revived if a more tolerant and friendly administration were installed. For extra credit, guess who is getting nominated for Sec/State? No, not Putin, guess again! ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/85 "2016-12-10T05:58:30Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > [Hacking the presidential election just isn't possible (yet) | Mashable](http://mashable.com/2016/10/19/hacking-voting-election-not-rigged/#nu7_IEkcTmqB) > > Here’s a story with some quotes from named sources, including President Obama, who say hacking the election is impossible. Now that the Democrats lost, secret anonymous sources say the Russians did it? How convenient. I feel like I’m wasting my time pointing out the obvious, but your link is irrelevant and your attempt at making a point is a fail. “Hacking the election” implys hacking the voting systems directly to modify the true votes and is not at all what is being discussed now. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/86 "2016-12-10T06:02:26Z")
I’m starting to wonder if Trump were to pull a Watergate - like, literally, everything that happened in Watergate - how likely impeachment would be. ---
**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 10, 2016, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/87 "2016-12-10T06:27:35Z")
I think it is obvious the Republicans are quite happy to be the party of White Nationalism, Sexual Assault, corruption, and treason, as long as it gets them power. I mean, can you _imagine_ if the Soviets helped George McGovern and the Dems the way the Russians helped Donald Trump and the GOP? ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/88 "2016-12-10T06:29:20Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I feel like I’m wasting my time pointing out the obvious, but your link is irrelevant and your attempt at making a point is a fail. “Hacking the election” implys hacking the voting systems directly to modify the true votes and is not at all what is being discussed now. See: Post #81 > [@JohnT](#): > > I think it is obvious the Republicans are quite happy to be the party of White Nationalism, Sexual Assault, corruption, and treason, as long as it gets them power. > > I mean, can you _imagine_ if the Soviets helped George McGovern and the Dems the way the Russians helped Donald Trump and the GOP? So this is what Democrats have been reduced to? Promoting a new era of McCarthyism? Go figure. Also, your first sentence is laughably wrong. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/89 "2016-12-10T07:54:47Z")
Well, that certainly settles that! ---
**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 10, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/90 "2016-12-10T13:21:32Z")
Yeah. I’m reeling. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/91 "2016-12-10T13:50:32Z")
Serious question, which might fit better in GQ except it’s slightly politically loaded: stipulating that the WaPo report is accurate, is it possible that Trump or McConnell or other Americans have broken laws in this case? I’m not meaning like, theoretically they snorted blow while cackling about their shenanigans. I mean, are there laws that prevent colluding with foreign powers in order to win an election? Are there laws that prevent a standing member of congress from coordinating with someone who’s colluding with foreign powers in order to win an election? Or would all these activities fall under “gross but technically legal”? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/92 "2016-12-10T14:11:01Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Serious question, which might fit better in GQ except it’s slightly politically loaded: stipulating that the WaPo report is accurate, is it possible that Trump or McConnell or other Americans have broken laws in this case? > > I’m not meaning like, theoretically they snorted blow while cackling about their shenanigans. I mean, are there laws that prevent colluding with foreign powers in order to win an election? Are there laws that prevent a standing member of congress from coordinating with someone who’s colluding with foreign powers in order to win an election? > > Or would all these activities fall under “gross but technically legal”? So far as I am reading, the Washington Post report does not suggest there was any collusion, so if I understand you, you’re asking: (1) Assuming the report is true, and (2) if it’s also true Trump or McConnell or other Americans colluded in some unspecified way, then is it possible that they broke some law, but you wish to be clear you’re not talking about cocaine use here. Is that a correct summary? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/93 "2016-12-10T14:17:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m starting to wonder if Trump were to pull a Watergate - like, literally, everything that happened in Watergate - how likely impeachment would be. After President Trump has been sworn in, it might take some time for investigations to prove he broke laws (although _I’m_ still thinking the Russians regard him as a useful idiot). Then, alas, the Republicans will be forced to bring up Impeachment; Trump might just pull a Nixon & retire to his gold-leaf aerie. And President Pence moves his family into the White House–before Melania has bothered to redecorate the First Family Apartment. [From the much reviled _Washington Post_:](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/12/09/the-cia-concluded-russia-worked-to-elect-trump-republicans-now-face-an-impossible-choice/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_fix-choice-620am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.b3abd9b5d573) > [@](#): > > Already, House Democrats have begun pushing for something akin to the 9/11 Commission to look into allegations of Russian meddling. During the campaign, they pushed for hearings on the same issue. > > Until this week, they’d been unable to get much buy-in from congressional Republicans. But Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) voiced support for a probe on Wednesday, and now Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) says he is working with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) on a wide-ranging Senate probe, as The Post’s Karoun Demirjian reported Thursday. So, yes. The Republicans will investigate–in the fullness of time. I wonder which useful idiot will be Pences’s VP? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/94 "2016-12-10T14:26:27Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So far as I am reading, the Washington Post report does not suggest there was any collusion, so if I understand you, you’re asking: (1) Assuming the report is true, and (2) if it’s also true Trump or McConnell or other Americans colluded in some unspecified way, then is it possible that they broke some law, but you wish to be clear you’re not talking about cocaine use here. > > Is that a correct summary? Remember [this?](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/us/politics/donald-trump-russia-clinton-emails.html?_r=0) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/95 "2016-12-10T14:29:47Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So far as I am reading, the Washington Post report does not suggest there was any collusion, so if I understand you, you’re asking: (1) Assuming the report is true, and (2) if it’s also true Trump or McConnell or other Americans colluded in some unspecified way, then is it possible that they broke some law, but you wish to be clear you’re not talking about cocaine use here. > > Is that a correct summary? I won’t dignify that with a response. If you’re not interested in the question, that’s your right; but your attempt to twist what I’m saying into something foolish is beneath you. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/96 "2016-12-10T14:36:24Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Yeah. I’m reeling. :rolleyes: Well, I have to say that’s better than being in a state of denial and refusing to accept the election results. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/97 "2016-12-10T14:44:14Z")
Trump’s response is to [attack the CIA](http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/10/politics/donald-trump-response-russian-hacking/): _“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” the transition said in a terse, unsigned statement. “The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It’s now time to move on and ‘Make America Great Again.’”_ He has no good options, and the GOP in general is going to have no good options. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/98 "2016-12-10T15:05:50Z")
I’m not so sure that attacking the CIA is a wise decision. Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/99 "2016-12-10T15:08:40Z")
Maybe he’s avoiding intelligence briefings because of all the awkwardness. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945/100 "2016-12-10T15:11:35Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Maybe he’s avoiding intelligence briefings because of all the awkwardness. I think he avoids intelligence in general. Briefings, advisors, appointees… whatever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/772945.md?page=6)