Russians spreading misinformation about BLM protests

But Ruptly, which has livestreamed the protests and published highlight clips nightly, focused its summary video that night on the burning of what appeared to be a single Bible, The New York Times reported. Twice, it tweeted the video, noting the Bible being set ablaze both times.

A Twitter user with just a few followers also tweeted the video shortly before deleting their account, but not before right-wing agitator Ian Miles Cheong retweeted them, adding his own false claim that the protesters burned "a stack of Bibles." Cheong's tweet then went viral, sparking coverage from prominent and conservative media outlets and blogs including the New York Post, The Federalist, Gateway Pundit, and The Blaze, as well as retweets from Trump Jr. and Sen. Cruz.

The success of Ruptly's misleading coverage of the Portland protests reveals how Russia's misinformation tactics have evolved since the 2016 presidential election, where American intelligence agencies have repeatedly concluded that Russia interfered with the aim of hurting Hillary Clinton's candidacy.

Cybersecurity experts have found that Russia is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic and racial tension in the US, and US intelligence agencies have warned that Russia is attempting to sway the election toward Trump again in 2020, though Trump has repeatedly downplayed the assessments of US intelligence agencies, instead giving deference to fringe agitators who support him.