Nina Jankowicz, who was formerly the director of the Biden administration’s short-lived Disinformation Governance Board and was known as the “disinformation king,” is then urging the European Union to stop attempts by the Trump administration to impact world policies regarding online content rules and related issues.
Jankowicz criticized what she described as the U.S. government’s growing alignment with major technology companies in opposition to restrictions on online speech during a session on Russian hybrid threats.
The United States has now become the largest lobbyist for these multibillion dollar [tech ] companies, and it is harassing any country or body that wants to run over or require transparency of these organizations. Both Washington and the social media platforms it controls are concerned about preserving democracy. In her testimony, Jankowicz stated that they are concerned about protecting their position and securing profits.
However, Jankowicz has received criticism for previously refuting false claims about Hunter Biden’s laptop and alleged collusion between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. She has not yet refuted those claims.
Jankowicz also rose to prominence in the form of a politician in 2022 when she was tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board. The board, which was established in April of that year, was disbanded in August as a result of internal investigations and public criticism that revealed its work was already being handled by other DHS departments.
Jankowicz urged European legislators to support the Digital Services Act ( DSA ), which places more strict controls on tech companies to combat what the EU refers to as “hate speech” and “disinformation.” She also urged Ukraine to keep supporting the EU, regardless of whether future U.S. leadership will follow suit.
I want to ask you to stand firm against another autocracy: the United States of America before I can reveal the specifics of Russia’s recent online influence campaigns.
She warned that the Trump administration might try to stifle EU institutions by enforcing rules like the DSA and reducing Ukraine’s assistance.
The Trump administration is undoubtedly planning a campaign to pressure EU institutions to halt DSA regulations, end support for Ukraine, and stop holding Russia to account. Do not cling. The line should be held. She continued,” This is the most obvious signal the European Union can send to Russia and other adversaries that it will continue to fight to preserve democracy around the world.”
Jankowicz also criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to end internal controls on the field of misinformation. She specifically criticized former Global Engagement Center ( GEC ) director Marco Rubio for allowing the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office to close.
Rubio cited the office’s role in urging social media to ban content as a justification for the closure. According to National Review, the FBI disbanded its Foreign Influence Task Force after it faced criticism for its role in reports like the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.
She founded the American Sunlight Project, a group that advocates for stricter online content management in 2023. Following her registration as a foreign agent to work for a partially funded U.K. think tank, she became eligible.
