National Security Expert: Russia Targeted Marco Rubio During 2016 Election

EXCERPT:

WATTS: "A wide range of English speaking conspiratorial websites, which we refer to as 'gray' outlets, some of which mysteriously operate from Eastern Europe, and our curiously led by pro-Russian editors of unknown financing,  sensationalize these conspiracies and fake news published by white outlets. American looking social media accounts, the hecklers, honey pots and hackers I described earlier working alongside automated bots further amplify this Russian propaganda amongst unwitting westerners. Through the end of 2015, and start of 2016, the Russian influence system began pushing themes and messages seeking to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Russia's overt media outlets and covert trolls sought to sideline opponents on both sides of the political spectrum with adversarial views towards the Kremlin. They were in full swing during both the Republican and Democratic primary season and may have helped sink the hopes of candidates more hostile to Russian interests long before the field narrowed. Senator Rubio, in my opinion, you anecdotally suffered from these efforts."