Russian operatives create fake Kamala Harris campaign website
Russian disinformation operatives allegedly created a fake Harris campaign website (NewWayForward.us) in September 2024 to spread misinformation about her policy positions. The site was identified as the work of Russian propagandists and shared widely on social media platforms.
What happened
On September 24, 2024, pro-Kremlin social media users began sharing a link to NewWayForward.us, a website presenting itself as the official Harris campaign site, complete with campaign colors and slogans. The site promoted controversial policies including open borders, citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and ending voter ID laws, while listing Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates, and Klaus Schwab as advisory board members.
Domain registration records show NewWayForward.us was registered on September 18, 2024, by an apparently fake identity under the name 'Syrinx Difiora.' NewsGuard identified similarities between this site and Ensemble-24.fr, a fake French election website, suggesting both were created by John Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff turned Kremlin propagandist who fled to Moscow. Dougan shared the fake Harris site on Telegram on September 28, 2024.
Reported impact
The fake website was widely shared by pro-Kremlin users on social media, potentially deceiving members of the public about Harris campaign policies and intentions.
Index analysis
Microsoft reported that Russian actors are increasing disinformation efforts ahead of the US election, with expectations of AI-assisted campaigns intensifying in the final 48 hours before voting. The fake Harris website exemplifies a sophisticated influence operation using domain impersonation and false endorsements to spread misinformation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.