Another Russian Hoax

For John, BLUF:  I wonder about tthe motive for the leak, or if the Woke Reporters just invented it.  Assuming it was a real tip, was the reason to get a date or was it campaign dirty tricks.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

Here's Why the 'Russian Bounties' Story Is the New 'Russian Collusion' Hoax

From PJ Media, by Mr Matt Margolils, 30 June 2020.

Here is the lede plus two:

Last week, the New York Times published a report claiming that “a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan — including targeting American troops,” and that President Trump has done nothing about it despite being briefed on it in March.

Democrats, true to form, expressed more outrage at Trump for allegedly ignoring the intel than they did at Russia, but that’s par for the course.  Since the report has come out it has become apparent that the New York Times’ claims are likely not true and Democrats jumped the gun by attacking Trump.

For starters, John Ratcliffe, the Director of National Intelligence, quickly debunked the story.  “I have confirmed that neither the President nor the Vice President were ever briefed on any intelligence alleged by the New York Times in its reporting yesterday,” he tweeted.  “The White House statement addressing this issue earlier today, which denied such a briefing occurred, was accurate.  The New York Times reporting, and all other subsequent news reports about such an alleged briefing are inaccurate.”

So where did this go?

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff