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A recent viral video depicting the destruction of mail ballots in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has caught the attention of federal authorities who believe it might be a fabricated attempt by Russia to interfere in the upcoming presidential election. According to a federal official speaking exclusively to USA TODAY, the video appears to be part of a covert operation to support former President Donald Trump.

The controversial video shows a man rummaging through a stack of sealed mail ballot envelopes, tearing up ballots purportedly cast for Trump and saving those for Vice President Kamala Harris. As the man destroys the ballots, he can be heard repeatedly using expletives against Trump. The video quickly gained traction on social media, prompting Bucks County officials to label it a fake and notify federal and state authorities, including the FBI.

The FBI, along with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania Department of State, have initiated an investigation into the video's origins. The federal official highlighted that the video's characteristics align closely with known Russian disinformation tactics, which aim to create chaos and undermine public confidence in the U.S. electoral system.

Officials have noted that this is not an isolated incident. U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been warning of substantial foreign interference in the election, with Russia being the most aggressive. Fake videos targeting Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have been circulating on social media platforms, reinforced by false claims designed to discredit them.

Bucks County officials and both Democratic and Republican committees have been quick to denounce the video. County spokesperson James O'Malley pointed out that the glossy envelopes in the video do not match the county’s official ballots, which feature non-glossy secrecy envelopes. This discrepancy was one of the indicators that helped officials identify the video as fraudulent.

Federal authorities believe there could be more such misleading videos circulating, aimed at influencing voter perceptions as the election nears. With polls showing a tight contest, Pennsylvania—and particularly Bucks County—has emerged as a critical battleground. In recent elections, this area has played a significant role in determining outcomes due to its balanced mix of Republican and Democratic voters.

Both presidential candidates have been intensely campaigning in Bucks County, aware of its pivotal role. Former President Trump even made a publicized visit to a McDonald's in Feasterville, attributing his visit as spending more time there than Harris.

The speedy response from Bucks County officials has been praised for mitigating the potential damage of the disinformation campaign. Bob Harvie, the Chair of the Board of Elections, condemned the video, stating it undermines the hard work of election officials trying to ensure a free and fair election.

Despite the widespread shares and views the video garnered on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), it was unequivocally denounced as a hoax. Both local Democratic and Republican leaders have urged the public to disregard such disinformation and trust in the integrity of the electoral system.