One of the most prominent US conservative influencers, Laura Loomer, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, expressed suspicion that a number of major American media figures directly or indirectly receive funding from Russia with the aim of stoking anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in the global information space. According to her, this is not about isolated incidents, but a systemic practice in which Russian structures engage popular podcasters and bloggers to participate in their own broadcasts and political events.
Suspicions of Systemic Funding
"Media personalities are without a doubt likely funded by Russia, whether they realize it or not," Loomer stated. The influencer emphasized that, in her estimation, many prominent American podcasters may be receiving funds from Russian sources, and the participants themselves may not realize the scale and nature of this funding. Loomer did not provide specific financial documents or transactions confirming these suspicions, but pointed to a number of public examples that, in her view, indicate close ties between American media personalities and Russian media projects.
The St. Petersburg Forum and "Pro-Russian" Podcasters
As an illustration, Loomer cited the example of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, to which, according to her, American conservative bloggers are invited. "You see how they invite Candace Owens to the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, and how Alexander Dugin promotes Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and Candace Owens, who are very pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian," she said. Loomer also noted that Russia actively engages media figures to participate in its political conferences and interviews, citing Tucker Carlson as an example, whom she ironically refers to as "Tucker Catarlson" (a play on words).
Carlson's Interview and Statements Regarding Zelenskyy
Separately, Loomer commented on Tucker Carlson's interview with former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press secretary Yulia Mendel. According to the influencer, Carlson uses such broadcasts to further fuel anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. In particular, Loomer referred to Carlson's assertions that Zelenskyy allegedly spends American taxpayers' money on cocaine. "I asked him if he was a cocaine user. I said, 'Are you a drug addict? Are you using our taxpayers' money to pay for drones? Did you sniff cocaine with Macron?' And he said 'no'," Loomer recounted, referring to her conversation with Carlson on the matter.
Context: Trump, Putin, and the Issue of Peace Talks
Earlier in the same interview cycle, Loomer expressed several assessments regarding the geopolitical situation. In her view, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not seeking peace talks to end the war against Ukraine. The influencer also suggested that US President Donald Trump's sharp rhetoric toward Zelenskyy may be linked to criticism of the so-called "diesel agreement" with Putin. Furthermore, Loomer stated that Trump is disappointed by the lack of noticeable progress in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
It is worth noting that all the statements cited above are personal assessments and suspicions of Laura Loomer, voiced in an interview format. None of the mentioned parties — neither the American podcasters nor Russian officials — have publicly confirmed the fact of direct funding. RBC-Ukraine publishes the influencer's statements as her personal position expressed during a conversation with journalists.
