In the aftermath of the US presidential election, the internet has been abuzz with talk about “fake news” outlets which allegedly helped manipulate public opinion towards Donald Trump’s victory. In an article in the Washington Post, reporter Craig Timberg said there was a “sophisticated Russian propaganda campaign” aimed at “undermining faith in American democracy.” 

As one of the sources for the story, Timberg cited a report by the group PropOrNot, which on its website provides a list of 200 sites it claims “reliably echo Russian propaganda.” Among the listed outlets, that bizarrely includes sites such as Films for Action which are highly critical of Russia, is the website of American economist Paul Craig Roberts.

In response, Roberts, who served as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under Ronald Reagan, published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for Russian citizenship now that the Washington Post “has blown my cover and exposed me as a Russian agent,” a request that Kremlin spokesman Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said would be considered if Roberts files all the necessary documents.

RT got in touch with Roberts to find out why he was being branded a source of Russian propaganda.