>it seems like a new danger that foreign governments are now trying to manipulate voters

This is not a new thing. Take for example, Poland historically used to elect a monarch. Various European powers would try to influence who was elected. In 1733, this famously culminated in the War of the Polish Succession.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Polish_Succession

Going back even further, Persia would back different Greek politicians.

This game of influencing foreign elections is a game that has been played for centuries, and is likely not going away any time soon.