Russia's interference in the 2016 election

Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election involved covert operations, primarily through hacking and social media campaigns. Russian agents targeted political organizations and leaked private emails to sway public opinion. They also used fake social media accounts to spread divisive content and misinformation, aiming to polarize voters and influence the election outcome in favor of certain candidates. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that these efforts were part of an effort by Russia to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral process and promote policies favorable to their interests.