Anti-Porn YouTuber Lauren Chen Linked to Russian Propaganda Probe

Anti-Porn YouTuber Lauren Chen Linked to Russian Propaganda Probe

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Department of Justice indictment concerning an alleged Russia-funded propaganda operation has raised questions about a right-wing YouTuber who posted conspiracy content calling for the eradication of porn and the imprisonment of Pornhub execs.

One of the founders of a site targeted by federal authorities as a Russian propaganda outlet is influencer Lauren Chen, who has posted videos describing Pornhub a source of “pedophilia” and has called for porn to be banned.

Chen has posted videos featuring a banner declaring, “Pornhub is pure evil.”

Last year, Chen publicized the controversial hidden camera videos of self-described journalist Arden Young, stating that “Pornhub execs belong in prison.”

In December, Chen promoted a conspiracy theory, popular with Christian Nationalists, that Pornhub is “trying to get straight men into gay and trans porn.”

On Wednesday, the DOJ indicted two employees of the Russian government-controlled news network RT — formerly Russia Today — for illegally operating conservative YouTube network Tenet Media from “behind the scenes,” the Washington Post reported. “Rather than being a domestic network of social media accounts, prosecutors allege that Tenet was a foreign influence operation funded with roughly $10 million in Russian money.”

Tenet Media was launched last year by conservative influencer Chen and husband Liam Donovan. Its on-camera talent included popular social media commentator Tim Pool, as well as fellow right-leaning personalities Benny Johnson, Dave Rubin and Matt Christiansen.

The DOJ indictment “outlines how prosecutors say this money was sent overseas and shared among the conservative YouTubers through whom Russia sought to promote its agenda,” the Washington Post reported, adding that several of Tenet’s talent team “claim they did not know the money was coming from Russia.”

Until the indictment was published, Chen also hosted two online shows on Glenn Beck’s Blaze Media.

On Thursday, YouTube announced it had “terminated” Tenet Media and four other channels linked to Chen, the Post reported.

Prosecutors also allege that Chen and Donovan “knew their funding was coming from Moscow and privately acknowledged in messages to each other that their backers were Russian.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Show More