It’s finally been confirmed by the MSM (CNN) that Russia specifically targeted Michigan and Wisconsin using microtargeted Facebook ads.
Exclusive: Russian-linked Facebook ads targeted Michigan and Wisconsin
Using the word “Exclusive” in the headline is kind of hilarious, but the rest of the article is on point.
A number of Russian-linked Facebook ads specifically targeted Michigan and Wisconsin, two states crucial to Donald Trump's victory last November, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the situation.
Some of the Russian ads appeared highly sophisticated in their targeting of key demographic groups in areas of the states that turned out to be pivotal, two of the sources said. The ads employed a series of divisive messages aimed at breaking through the clutter of campaign ads online, including promoting anti-Muslim messages, sources said.
— snip—
As part of their investigations, both special counsel Robert Mueller and congressional committees are seeking to determine whether the Russians received any help from Trump associates in where to target the ads.
So if Mueller finds out that lists of voters were given to the Russians by the Trump campaign to assist in this effort, then he has the smoking gun he needs to put away Trump and everyone else involved.
I unpublished this diary this morning because Eric Lewis’s excellent diary on the same topic appeared on the reclist right after I published and I didn’t want to compete.
CNN: Russian Facebook Ads Targeted Michigan & Wisconsin in 2016 Election
But I am republishing for two reasons—first because his diary has scrolled off the reclist and I think this is an important story that deserves more conversation here at dkos. And second, because of this tweet from Eric Garland: