A deepfake video disparaging vice presidential candidate Tim Walz was created by a “Russian influence actor” trying to undermine Kamala Harris' campaign, a U.S. intelligence official told Fox News. Ta.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Matthew Metro, a former Mankato West High School student, alleging that Walz molested and kissed him in 1997, when the Minnesota governor was a teacher at the school. It is said that it was done. Except the allegations are completely fabricated.
“Based on newly available intelligence analysis conducted over the weekend, Russian influential actors fabricated and amplified the content,” officials told Fox News. It added that it conformed to the pattern used by Russian actors and that the subject matter was “directly on camera and done.” We're trying to make them go viral. ”
These intelligence officials also believe that Russia wants former President Trump to win the 2024 election, and that if Harris wins, Russia will become more active in sowing division in the United States after the election. He pointed out that he believes there is a high possibility that it will become a target.
Tim Walz maintains 'opinion' on past gaffes: 'I will be honest'
Vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz greets people at Mankato West High School on Friday, October 11, in Mankato, Minnesota. Governor Walz, who was the defensive coach for Mankato West's 1999 state championship team, visited Mankato East High School. Battle against the West. (Aaron Labinsky/Star Tribune, via AP)
The real Matthew Metro, who currently lives in Hawaii, said: washington post He says he has never met Waltz.
“It's obviously not me. The teeth are different, the hair is different, the eyes are different, the nose is different,” he said. “I don’t know where they’re getting this from.”
Tim Walz hits back at criticism of his gun loading skills: 'I'm a better shooter than all of them'
On October 17, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, appeared with former President Bill Clinton at a campaign rally in Durham, North Carolina. (AP/Steve Helber)
Metro called deepfakes “an invasion of my privacy and private life.”
The Washington Post, citing engagement data from social media platform X, reported that it has been viewed more than 5 million times.
Metro told the newspaper that his dormant accounts on Facebook and other social media platforms may have been searched to collect images and biographical information to create the deepfakes.
Tim Walz speaks with players from the Mankato West football team on Friday, Oct. 11. The real Matthew Metro told the Washington Post that he had never met Walz. (Aaron Labinsky/Star Tribune, via AP)
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Neither Harris nor the Trump campaign immediately responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
