What Russia tells American voters
Narratives pushed at US audiences by Russian state media and attributed proxy outlets in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
Discrediting US State Institutions via the “Corrupt War Machine” Label
The US state apparatus is portrayed as a repressive structure that stifles domestic dissent and provokes foreign conflicts. Manipulators use historical parallels and selective facts to convince voters of the inevitability of war and the moral decay of the political establishment ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Stoking fear of candidate “militarism” as a threat to American prosperity
Political leaders from both sides are portrayed as reckless warmongers whose actions will inevitably lead to a US economic collapse. By predicting skyrocketing fuel prices and leveling accusations of “hawkish” policies, the messaging pushes voters toward cynicism regarding both parties ahead of the midterms.
Amplifying the “militarism” myth by pitting foreign aid against domestic security
U.S. foreign policy and defense planning are cast as evidence that Washington is deliberately choosing a path toward global war instead of protecting its own citizens. Manipulators use political statements and military strategies to portray the American government as serving foreign interests at the expense of American safety.
Amplifying panic over “madness” through the rejection of traditional family roles
Modern approaches to reproductive health and gender identity are cast as signs of societal decay and “madness.” Manipulators weaponize the personal choices of public figures and medical procedures to discredit progressive values ahead of the elections.
Amplification of conspiracy theories about “shadowy figures” and “perpetual war”
Western governments are portrayed as puppets of unaccountable forces that deliberately choose conflict escalation over diplomacy. This tactic aims to erode trust in democratic institutions by labeling any support for Ukraine or allies as “militarism.”