In yet another attempt to resuscitate a debunked narrative, CNN’s Jim Acosta found himself in hot water after pushing claims about Russian interference in the upcoming 2024 election. On Wednesday, Acosta tweeted what he deemed “exclusive breaking news” about the Biden administration accusing Russia of once again meddling in American democracy.
His tweet quickly set off a firestorm, not only among conservative commentators but also from political figures and the general public on X (formerly Twitter). Acosta, who has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and his administration for years, appeared to be trying to reignite old accusations of Russian collusion—a topic that dominated headlines during Trump’s first term but was largely debunked by subsequent investigations.
Acosta tweeted, “EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS NOW ON CNN: Biden administration to accuse Russia of sustained effort to influence 2024 election,” sharing a CNN article on the topic. This quickly drew backlash from a wide range of users.
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS NOW ON CNN: Biden administration to accuse Russia of sustained effort to influence 2024 election. https://t.co/n0YRreyCP3
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) September 4, 2024
Donald Trump Jr. was one of the first to weigh in, sarcastically commenting, “Here we go again. LOL.” His tweet resonated with many users who have grown tired of the repeated claims regarding Russian interference in U.S. elections. For Trump supporters, the timing of these allegations just months before the 2024 election reeks of déjà vu.
Here we go again. LOL
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 4, 2024
Others on X wasted no time mocking Acosta’s attempt to revive the long-dead narrative. One user posted, “CNN trying to revive the Russia hoax” with a series of laughing emojis, while another sarcastically chimed in, “Russia, Russia, Russia… every lie comes full circle, 360 degrees.”
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CNN trying to revive the Russia hoax🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/0SOqjjwfy7
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) September 4, 2024
The revival of the narrative comes at a time when many feel that mainstream media outlets like CNN are recycling old stories in an effort to sway the 2024 election in favor of the Democrats. The 2016 allegations of Russian collusion, which shadowed Trump’s presidency, have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many on the right.
Despite the immediate backlash, Acosta has yet to back down from his claims. CNN’s report, based on unnamed sources, stated that the Biden administration would make a public accusation against Russia, citing the Kremlin’s use of state-run media and online platforms to influence voters through disinformation. According to the report, U.S. officials have been particularly concerned about RT (formerly Russia Today) as a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda aimed at destabilizing U.S. elections.
But many conservatives and Trump allies see this as nothing more than a coordinated attempt to distract from the current administration’s failures, from economic woes to the border crisis. With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris facing dismal approval ratings and internal party challenges, reviving the Russia narrative seems to simply be a strategy to shift attention away from domestic issues.
Accusations of Russian interference in U.S. elections are nothing new. In 2016, Russia was accused of meddling in the presidential election through various means, including social media disinformation campaigns. A special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller did not find evidence to charge any American with conspiring with Russia.
Here we go again.
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) September 4, 2024
Now, in 2024, Acosta’s comments appear to be a continuation of that same line of thinking, much to the dismay of those who have long called the entire narrative a “hoax.” What’s clear from the online reaction is that many voters have grown weary of hearing about Russia every time an election draws near. The constant drumbeat of foreign interference allegations, especially when tied to Trump, has led to fatigue for a large portion of the electorate.
Whether the Biden administration’s claims about Russia hold water or not, the American people seem far more concerned with the issues affecting them directly—rising inflation, skyrocketing crime rates, and a chaotic southern border. It appears the Russia-Trump “narrative” is falling on deaf ears.
