One thing that is missing from my analysis is a possibility a friend pointed out.
It's a kind of conspiracy theory. Poisoning the well, basically:-
Problem: Too much spotlight on USAID wrongdoing.
Solution: Muddy the waters by releasing a fake news story. It should have just the right amount of blatantly Russian propaganda-quality and be made viral alongside the rest of the USAID material. Ensure the breadcrumbs lead to a source that appears Russian.
Then shoot it down and put extra much emphasis on this piece of USAID news to muddy the water and cast doubt on all the other USAID material
Choosing actors and actresses for disinformation campaigns—whether they are knowingly involved or not—leverages their public profile to deny claims, be proven right, and gain public sympathy. This not only reinforces the intended narrative but also "inoculates" some of the public against other USAID findings. Additionally, the parasocial connection between actors and the public plays a key role; people feel they "know" and trust these figures due to their familiarity from films and media. This trust, amplified by the halo effect, impairs critical judgment, making audiences more likely to accept their statements as truth, even in matters beyond their expertise.