The Daily Why Trump Still Believes (Wrongly) That Ukraine Hacked the D.N.C.
Nov 26, 2019
Scott Shane, a national security reporter for The New York Times, delves into the tangled web of misinformation surrounding Ukraine and the 2016 DNC hack. He discusses how a false narrative implicating Ukraine was nurtured to shield Russian operatives from blame. The conversation reveals how conspiracy theories can pervert political discourse and obscure the truth. Shane also emphasizes the crucial role of journalism in exposing these distortions and holding politicians accountable despite ongoing controversies.
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The DNC Hack and CrowdStrike
- In 2016, the DNC discovered a hack and hired CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, to investigate.
- CrowdStrike, working with the FBI, found evidence pointing to Russian hackers, not Ukrainian involvement.
Trump's Motivation
- Trump's theory about Ukrainian involvement shifts blame away from Russia, potentially easing concerns about his election legitimacy.
- Ukraine becomes a convenient scapegoat due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Origin of the Theory
- Trump's theory about Ukraine originated from Paul Manafort, who heard it from Konstantin Kilimnik, an associate tied to Russian intelligence.
- This suggests a potential Russian misinformation campaign to deflect blame for election interference.