Jack Smith and the Kosovo Disinformation Machine

A disinformation campaign tied to Trump’s vendetta against Jack Smith is warping justice in Kosovo, with Grenell’s shadow diplomacy casting doubt on The Hague process.

At The Gunpowder Chronicles we are investigating a coordinated disinformation effort targeting American prosecutor Jack Smith, centred on false claims about his role at the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague. The campaign, which aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal vendetta against Smith, appears to have influenced key figures in Kosovo through the involvement of Richard Grenell, Trump’s former intelligence director and envoy to the Balkans.

Evidence suggests Grenell misrepresented Smith’s mandate to allies of former President Hashim Thaçi, fuelling distrust in the court’s mission. Our reporting aims to clarify Smith’s record, examine the geopolitical interests at play including Russian influence and expose how a U.S. political grudge has shaped narratives far beyond Washington.

This story is part of our broader investigation into the use of disinformation to undermine international justice and democratic accountability in the Western Balkans.

This article is part of an ongoing investigation by The Gunpowder Chronicles. To read the full report and access exclusive briefings, subscribe below.