Report: Russian trolls got in touch with Trump campaign officials via Facebook messages

Russian trolls on Facebook apparently sent messages to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.

The New York Times reports that at least one account contacted the Florida arm of the campaigns Facebook page.

A staffer for the group called “Florida for Trump”, even gave the fake account the email address of the campaigns Florida communications director.

The New York Times did get a copy of the interaction but the Russian account has since been deactivated, and their responses are no longer visible.

Florida state director of the Trump campaign, Karen Giorno said “Nobody reasonably would have asked — or even thought to ask — ‘Are you sure you’re not with Russia?’”

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s indictment of 13 Russian nationals and three Russian groups alleges a “troll farm” created fake accounts to interfere or influence the 2016 election.

Staffers from the Florida Trump campaign told the Times that the don’t recall responding to or receiving any messages.