Former official claims US employed Telegram to overthrow governments on Tucker Carlson’s show
A former Trump official has stated that the US and its CIA-managed “soft power” division utilized Telegram to incite riots in various nations. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
According to former Trump administration official Mike Benz, the United States has utilized the messaging app Telegram to instigate dissent and unrest in countries it views unfavorably. Speaking with Tucker Carlson, a journalist, on his show, Benz highlighted the strategic use of Telegram by governmental agencies like the CIA.
During the discussion, Carlson inquired about the involvement of the US in the recent apprehension of Telegram's co-founder, Pavel Durov, by French authorities. Benz, who did not provide specific details on the allegation, noted that such actions are consistent with previous strategies implemented by the US.
Benz, who now leads the Foundation for Freedom Online, emphasized that promoting free speech has strategically benefitted the US, enabling it to support opposition groups in various nations. He explained that Telegram's secure communication features have made it a key tool for organizing political movements, particularly in regions like Russia, Belarus, Iran, and Hong Kong.
Highlighting a specific instance, Benz pointed out that in 2018, numerous NGOs funded by the US government defended Telegram when Russia sought to block it. He mentioned that the US has been actively using Telegram's encrypted capabilities to stir up civic movements across these regions.
Furthermore, Benz elaborated on the significant role Telegram played in orchestrating what he described as a "color revolution" in Belarus in 2020. He mentioned that financial support for Telegram channels that led the protests in Belarus came from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which he referred to as a major CIA proxy.
In conclusion, Benz called Telegram “the darling of the CIA,” stressing how vital the platform has been for the US in fostering political operations globally due to its vast user base and the ease of channeling these users toward organized activities.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
During the discussion, Carlson inquired about the involvement of the US in the recent apprehension of Telegram's co-founder, Pavel Durov, by French authorities. Benz, who did not provide specific details on the allegation, noted that such actions are consistent with previous strategies implemented by the US.
Benz, who now leads the Foundation for Freedom Online, emphasized that promoting free speech has strategically benefitted the US, enabling it to support opposition groups in various nations. He explained that Telegram's secure communication features have made it a key tool for organizing political movements, particularly in regions like Russia, Belarus, Iran, and Hong Kong.
Highlighting a specific instance, Benz pointed out that in 2018, numerous NGOs funded by the US government defended Telegram when Russia sought to block it. He mentioned that the US has been actively using Telegram's encrypted capabilities to stir up civic movements across these regions.
Furthermore, Benz elaborated on the significant role Telegram played in orchestrating what he described as a "color revolution" in Belarus in 2020. He mentioned that financial support for Telegram channels that led the protests in Belarus came from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which he referred to as a major CIA proxy.
In conclusion, Benz called Telegram “the darling of the CIA,” stressing how vital the platform has been for the US in fostering political operations globally due to its vast user base and the ease of channeling these users toward organized activities.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
