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Incident 824: Fake Video Allegedly Misattributes False Claims to Former Student in Attack on Vice-Presidential Candidate Tim Walz

Description: A viral video falsely accused Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz of misconduct by using the stolen identity of former student Matthew Metro. Circulated on X and other platforms, the video reached millions before being flagged for manipulation. U.S. intelligence later revealed it and three other similar events were part of the Russian disinformation campaign Storm-1516, whose aim is to disrupt the 2024 elections.
Editor Notes: Incident 824 appears to be part of a sophisticated disinformation campaign that leverages stolen identities and fabricated content to sow confusion and distrust. While initial reports suggested that the video falsely accusing Tim Walz of misconduct was AI-generated, further analysis clarified that it was actually a "cheap fake" impersonation, not created using AI. However, this incident is still tied to a Russian-aligned network, Storm-1516, known for promoting false narratives aimed at disrupting the 2024 election, with apparent support for Trump’s candidacy, often using generative AI. Storm-1516’s tactics include using fabricated whistleblower videos, often amplified by far-right influencers, which complicates public perception. Even debunked claims can persist and damage reputations, particularly through the phenomenon of the liar's dividend, where the existence of disinformation technologies creates ambiguity and erodes trust. In cases like Incident 824, the combination of real biographical details (such as Matthew Metro’s identity) with false narratives makes it harder for the public to discern truth from fiction. While these manipulations do spread false claims, they also amplify skepticism about genuine content, and that in turn deepens the challenge of ascertaining the truth in a media landscape rife with disinformation. Three other known harm events that were part of the line of attack were a false accusation on October 5, where an anonymous individual claimed Governor Tim Walz abused him during the 2004-2005 FLEX Program in Minnesota. In this case, the accuser was interviewed by John Mark Dougan, a former Florida sheriff's deputy now living in Russia, who is known to have alleged ties to Russian disinformation campaigns. (For more information on Dougan and his network of fake sites, see Incident 701 in particular.) Second, a baseless claim on October 12, posted by an X account credited as "Matt Wallace," alleged inappropriate behavior by Walz during student trips to China. Third, a manipulated email screenshot was shared on October 13 by an X account called "Black Insurrectionist," which suggested misconduct with a minor at a concert in 1995. Each of these incidents followed a similar pattern of disinformation, using fabricated or altered details to create credibility, further complicating efforts to refute the false claims.

Tools

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Entities

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Alleged: Unknown deepfake technology developer developed an AI system deployed by Anonymous X user, which harmed Tim Walz and Matthew Metro.
Alleged implicated AI systems: Unknown deepfake apps and Unknown voice cloning technology

Incident Stats

Incident ID
824
Report Count
16
Incident Date
2024-10-16
Editors
Daniel Atherton
Applied Taxonomies
MIT

MIT Taxonomy Classifications

Machine-Classified
Taxonomy Details

Risk Subdomain

A further 23 subdomains create an accessible and understandable classification of hazards and harms associated with AI
 

4.1. Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale

Risk Domain

The Domain Taxonomy of AI Risks classifies risks into seven AI risk domains: (1) Discrimination & toxicity, (2) Privacy & security, (3) Misinformation, (4) Malicious actors & misuse, (5) Human-computer interaction, (6) Socioeconomic & environmental harms, and (7) AI system safety, failures & limitations.
 
  1. Malicious Actors & Misuse

Entity

Which, if any, entity is presented as the main cause of the risk
 

Human

Timing

The stage in the AI lifecycle at which the risk is presented as occurring
 

Post-deployment

Intent

Whether the risk is presented as occurring as an expected or unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal
 

Intentional

Incident Reports

Reports Timeline

Incident Occurrence+3
Viral attack on Walz features fake former student making false claim
+6
U.S. officials say Russia smeared Tim Walz, might stoke post-vote violence
Influence campaigns from Iran, China, Russia ramping up ahead of elections, Microsoft findsFormer US marine ‘hired by Russians to spread lies that Tim Walz groped students’+1
Introducing the Dougan Russian Disinformation Depository: A Showman at Work
How Russia Openly Escalated Its Election Interference Efforts
Viral attack on Walz features fake former student making false claim

Viral attack on Walz features fake former student making false claim

washingtonpost.com

Russian Propaganda Unit Appears to Be Behind Spread of False Tim Walz Sexual Abuse Claims

Russian Propaganda Unit Appears to Be Behind Spread of False Tim Walz Sexual Abuse Claims

wired.com

MAGA’s New Outrageous Tim Walz Conspiracy Tied to Russian Disinfo Plot

MAGA’s New Outrageous Tim Walz Conspiracy Tied to Russian Disinfo Plot

newrepublic.com

Tim Walz targeted by unfounded sexual abuse claim

Tim Walz targeted by unfounded sexual abuse claim

factcheck.afp.com

U.S. officials say Russia smeared Tim Walz, might stoke post-vote violence

U.S. officials say Russia smeared Tim Walz, might stoke post-vote violence

washingtonpost.com

Russian disinformation groups promoting false claims about Gov. Tim Walz, experts say

Russian disinformation groups promoting false claims about Gov. Tim Walz, experts say

cbsnews.com

U.S. intel officials say Russia is behind attempts to smear Tim Walz

U.S. intel officials say Russia is behind attempts to smear Tim Walz

npr.org

Russia was behind false social posts about Tim Walz: U.S. intelligence official

Russia was behind false social posts about Tim Walz: U.S. intelligence official

axios.com

Russia behind fake video of child-molestation claim against Tim Walz, U.S. intel officials say

Russia behind fake video of child-molestation claim against Tim Walz, U.S. intel officials say

washingtontimes.com

MAGA Pundits Spread False Sexual Assault Claims Against Tim Walz. Experts Say Russia Is to Blame

MAGA Pundits Spread False Sexual Assault Claims Against Tim Walz. Experts Say Russia Is to Blame

them.us

The far right spreads fake AI-generated video falsely claiming Tim Walz molested a gay student

The far right spreads fake AI-generated video falsely claiming Tim Walz molested a gay student

lgbtqnation.com

Influence campaigns from Iran, China, Russia ramping up ahead of elections, Microsoft finds

Influence campaigns from Iran, China, Russia ramping up ahead of elections, Microsoft finds

politico.com

Former US marine ‘hired by Russians to spread lies that Tim Walz groped students’

Former US marine ‘hired by Russians to spread lies that Tim Walz groped students’

telegraph.co.uk

Introducing the Dougan Russian Disinformation Depository: A Showman at Work

Introducing the Dougan Russian Disinformation Depository: A Showman at Work

newsguardrealitycheck.com

Putin's pro-Trump trolls accuse Harris of poaching rhinos

Putin's pro-Trump trolls accuse Harris of poaching rhinos

theregister.com

How Russia Openly Escalated Its Election Interference Efforts

How Russia Openly Escalated Its Election Interference Efforts

nytimes.com

Viral attack on Walz features fake former student making false claim
washingtonpost.com · 2024

Matthew Metro didn't recognize the face that popped up on his cellphone screen when he clicked a link that a friend texted him last week. But after hitting play on the online video, he was dismayed by what he saw.

"My name is Matthew Metro,…

Russian Propaganda Unit Appears to Be Behind Spread of False Tim Walz Sexual Abuse Claims
wired.com · 2024

A Russian-aligned propaganda network notorious for creating deepfake whistleblower videos appears to be behind a coordinated effort to promote wild and baseless claims that Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz sexuall…

MAGA’s New Outrageous Tim Walz Conspiracy Tied to Russian Disinfo Plot
newrepublic.com · 2024

Earlier this month, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was plagued by MAGA rumors that he had sexually groomed a former student of his. Now it appears that unfounded gossip was funded by a familiar source of misinformation: Russi…

Tim Walz targeted by unfounded sexual abuse claim
factcheck.afp.com · 2024

A video shared widely on X purports to show a former Mankato West High School student accusing Tim Walz of sexually assaulting him when the Democratic vice presidential candidate was a teacher at the Minnesota school decades ago. But the ma…

U.S. officials say Russia smeared Tim Walz, might stoke post-vote violence
washingtonpost.com · 2024

U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday said Russians seeking to disrupt the U.S. elections created a faked video and other material smearing Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz with abuse allegations and are considering fomenting …

Russian disinformation groups promoting false claims about Gov. Tim Walz, experts say
cbsnews.com · 2024

Russian disinformation groups likely orchestrated baseless claims targeting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, falsely accusing the vice presidential candidate of sexually assaulting his students while he was a high school teacher, according to asses…

U.S. intel officials say Russia is behind attempts to smear Tim Walz
npr.org · 2024

Russia was behind salacious false claims against Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz that circulated widely on social media last week, according to U.S. intelligence officials.

"The intelligence community assesses that Russian inf…

Russia was behind false social posts about Tim Walz: U.S. intelligence official
axios.com · 2024

Russia was behind recent social media posts making baseless and salacious claims about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. intelligence officials said Tuesday.

Why it matters: It's the latest example of foreign actors trying to shape the outcome …

Russia behind fake video of child-molestation claim against Tim Walz, U.S. intel officials say
washingtontimes.com · 2024

The Russian government created the fake viral video of a former student of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz accusing him of sexual abuse, U.S. intelligence said.

"The [intelligence community] assesses that Russian influence a…

MAGA Pundits Spread False Sexual Assault Claims Against Tim Walz. Experts Say Russia Is to Blame
them.us · 2024

If you're even a little bit familiar with politics, you probably already know about the infamous October surprise, a news event that breaks the month before the election with the potential to influence the presidential race. This year, the …

The far right spreads fake AI-generated video falsely claiming Tim Walz molested a gay student
lgbtqnation.com · 2024

A viral post on X by a user entrenched in the QAnon conspiracy sphere claimed that a former student of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Matthew Metro, alleged that Walz sexually assaulted him in 1997 when he was still a student. The move is part of…

Influence campaigns from Iran, China, Russia ramping up ahead of elections, Microsoft finds
politico.com · 2024

Iranian hackers are gearing up for a potentially major influence operation ahead of the U.S. elections, running parallel to increased election interference efforts from China and Russia, Microsoft said in a report released Wednesday.

The fi…

Former US marine ‘hired by Russians to spread lies that Tim Walz groped students’
telegraph.co.uk · 2024

Russian spies hired an ex-US marine to spread fake news aimed at smearing the Harris campaign that likely included rumours Tim Walz groped his former students, it has been revealed.

John Mark Dougan, a former county sheriff's deputy in Flor…

Introducing the Dougan Russian Disinformation Depository: A Showman at Work
newsguardrealitycheck.com · 2024

We are launching The Dougan Russian Disinformation Depository to give a name, a face, a personality, a personal modus operandi, and a personal history to the sometimes nebulous phenomenon of Russian disinformation.  

John Mark Dougan, a for…

Putin's pro-Trump trolls accuse Harris of poaching rhinos
theregister.com · 2024

Russian, Iranian, and Chinese trolls are all ramping up their US election disinformation efforts ahead of November 5, but – aside from undermining faith in the democratic process and confidence in the election result – with very different o…

How Russia Openly Escalated Its Election Interference Efforts
nytimes.com · 2024

In the final days before Tuesday's vote, Russia abandoned any pretense that it was not trying to interfere in the American presidential election.

The Kremlin's information warriors not only produced a late wave of fabricated videos that tar…

Variants

A "variant" is an incident that shares the same causative factors, produces similar harms, and involves the same intelligent systems as a known AI incident. Rather than index variants as entirely separate incidents, we list variations of incidents under the first similar incident submitted to the database. Unlike other submission types to the incident database, variants are not required to have reporting in evidence external to the Incident Database. Learn more from the research paper.

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