Part 7/14:
Leaked material from officials like Clapper and Brennan was strategically fed to the media, fueling headlines claiming Russian hacking and interference. Major outlets like the Washington Post, NBC, and the New York Times propagated the story that Russia acted to help Trump win—claims based on carefully manipulated intelligence, not verified evidence.
The Political Consequences
This orchestrated campaign had profound repercussions. It led to the false belief among many Americans that Trump’s victory was illegitimate, prompting mass protests, violence, and calls for eroding democracy itself. Many Americans were convinced that the election was stolen by foreign agents, perpetuating a myth that still influences discourse today.