Alex Kaplan
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alkapdc.bsky.social
Alex Kaplan
@alkapdc.bsky.social
28K followers 28 following 960 posts
Senior Researcher at Media Matters, focusing on social media misinformation, disinformation, & online extremism. Statements are mine, not employer's. Send tips to akaplan@mediamatters.org.
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alkapdc.bsky.social
Alex Kaplan @alkapdc.bsky.social · Jan 13
Given the growth of Bluesky, I plan going forward to also document here Trump's ongoing amplification of QAnon-promoting accounts on Truth Social. My original thread/documenting, which began in 2022, can be found here.
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alkapdc.bsky.social
In the past, content from Christopher Blair, the "satire" story creator, has been spread as real by others, such as Macedonian hoax sites. Now that includes the president of the United States.
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Reposted by Alex Kaplan
alkapdc.bsky.social
New:

On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers

He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): I've been invited to speak across the country about January 6. And now that I'm relaunching Oath Keepers, I'm getting more invitations to come speak as well. So, yeah, I'm relaunching the organization and rebuilding it. ... They tried to take us out after January 6 but what man means for evil, God will use for good. I came out stronger after it, and so my goal is to rebuild the organization stronger than ever because it's an essential mission. Absolutely. JIM HOFT (HOST): Oh, that's wonderful news. So the Oath Keepers is going to have a relaunch here, and Stewart's breaking that news this weekend? RHODES: Yes, sir. ... RHODES: I mean, I have to make sure that if I'm ever taken out again or if I'm or when I'm taken out again, that the organization can drive on without me. That's not what happened last time. ... So we want to make sure it's got resilience and redundancy built in that it can drive on strong. With the same mission, though. You can't call yourself an Oath Keeper if you're not willing to protect people against radical antifa and other leftist violence in the streets. STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): And one other thing I want to say is that President Trump, as commander in chief, always has absolute authority to call all of us up as the militia because every one of us — in federal statues defining the militia, it's every able-bodied male from age 17-45. And for us veterans, it goes up to age 64 because of our prior training and experience. Right now, under federal statutes, President Trump can call us up as the militia if he sees it necessary, especially for three purposes: to repel invasions, to suppress insurrections, and to execute the laws of the union. And right now, we see all three of those in play. ... And the militia is all of us. So the National Guard is part of the militia, which is why it's completely lawful for him to use the National Guard as he has, and he should do more of that, I think, across the country. ... He could just say given the circumstances of an invasion, insurrection, and resistance against federal law being being enforced, I'm calling up the militia, ordering all the men to come together [in] every county, put the veterans in charge of training and organizing all the other men and just have them stand too and await his orders. He can do that and I think he should do that. And so that's what I'll be advocating for from him. So from the bottom, from down the rank and file, we can let President Trump know that we're ready to serve, encourage him to do that, call us up as a militia, order us all to come together in our counties under his command, which gives you complete legal sanction to do what you're doing.
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Alex Kaplan
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new blog post, Andrew Torba, the CEO of Gab, a social media platform known as a haven for white nationalists, lauded the "economic miracle" of Nazi Germany, claiming that the Nazis "understood a fundamental truth our leaders deny: that an economy must serve its own people first."
Gab CEO Andrew Torba: "It is one of the great ironies of modern history that the very regime we are taught to revile above all others achieved what our own leaders insist is impossible. While we are relentlessly instructed on the horrors of National Socialism, we are never told of its economic miracle. A revival so stunning it lifted a nation from the ashes of despair and turned it into an industrial leader within a handful of years. While our system plunges young men into lifelong debt for the chance at a home, the National Socialists offered marriage loans, slashed unemployment to zero, and prioritized the stability of the family as the core of national strength. They understood a fundamental truth our leaders deny: that an economy must serve its own people first. They did not outsource their future or replace their workforce. They valued their workers, celebrated mothers, and forged an economic engine that hummed with purpose and productivity. We are told their system was pure evil, yet ours, which impoverishes our youth, dissolves our borders, and laughs at the very concept of national interest, is presented as moral and just. The question screams to be asked: who are the real monsters? Those who built a nation for their people, or those who are selling ours off piece by piece?"
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
New:

On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers

He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): I've been invited to speak across the country about January 6. And now that I'm relaunching Oath Keepers, I'm getting more invitations to come speak as well. So, yeah, I'm relaunching the organization and rebuilding it. ... They tried to take us out after January 6 but what man means for evil, God will use for good. I came out stronger after it, and so my goal is to rebuild the organization stronger than ever because it's an essential mission. Absolutely. JIM HOFT (HOST): Oh, that's wonderful news. So the Oath Keepers is going to have a relaunch here, and Stewart's breaking that news this weekend? RHODES: Yes, sir. ... RHODES: I mean, I have to make sure that if I'm ever taken out again or if I'm or when I'm taken out again, that the organization can drive on without me. That's not what happened last time. ... So we want to make sure it's got resilience and redundancy built in that it can drive on strong. With the same mission, though. You can't call yourself an Oath Keeper if you're not willing to protect people against radical antifa and other leftist violence in the streets. STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): And one other thing I want to say is that President Trump, as commander in chief, always has absolute authority to call all of us up as the militia because every one of us — in federal statues defining the militia, it's every able-bodied male from age 17-45. And for us veterans, it goes up to age 64 because of our prior training and experience. Right now, under federal statutes, President Trump can call us up as the militia if he sees it necessary, especially for three purposes: to repel invasions, to suppress insurrections, and to execute the laws of the union. And right now, we see all three of those in play. ... And the militia is all of us. So the National Guard is part of the militia, which is why it's completely lawful for him to use the National Guard as he has, and he should do more of that, I think, across the country. ... He could just say given the circumstances of an invasion, insurrection, and resistance against federal law being being enforced, I'm calling up the militia, ordering all the men to come together [in] every county, put the veterans in charge of training and organizing all the other men and just have them stand too and await his orders. He can do that and I think he should do that. And so that's what I'll be advocating for from him. So from the bottom, from down the rank and file, we can let President Trump know that we're ready to serve, encourage him to do that, call us up as a militia, order us all to come together in our counties under his command, which gives you complete legal sanction to do what you're doing.
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new blog post, Andrew Torba, the CEO of Gab, a social media platform known as a haven for white nationalists, lauded the "economic miracle" of Nazi Germany, claiming that the Nazis "understood a fundamental truth our leaders deny: that an economy must serve its own people first."
Gab CEO Andrew Torba: "It is one of the great ironies of modern history that the very regime we are taught to revile above all others achieved what our own leaders insist is impossible. While we are relentlessly instructed on the horrors of National Socialism, we are never told of its economic miracle. A revival so stunning it lifted a nation from the ashes of despair and turned it into an industrial leader within a handful of years. While our system plunges young men into lifelong debt for the chance at a home, the National Socialists offered marriage loans, slashed unemployment to zero, and prioritized the stability of the family as the core of national strength. They understood a fundamental truth our leaders deny: that an economy must serve its own people first. They did not outsource their future or replace their workforce. They valued their workers, celebrated mothers, and forged an economic engine that hummed with purpose and productivity. We are told their system was pure evil, yet ours, which impoverishes our youth, dissolves our borders, and laughs at the very concept of national interest, is presented as moral and just. The question screams to be asked: who are the real monsters? Those who built a nation for their people, or those who are selling ours off piece by piece?"
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new podcast interview, Eric Orwoll, the leader of the whites-only community Return to the Land, said he had a falling out with Nick Fuentes — who's previously supported Orwoll & RTTL — saying he's "concerned if that guy is put in a position of authority" because Fuentes "is just too emotional."
November 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new podcast interview, anti-vax figure & RFK Jr. ally Sherri Tenpenny while attacking vaccines falsely claimed that measles has "never been deadly," that it actually "strengthens your immune system," & that "people that have had measles are less likely to get brain cancer."
November 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Alex Kaplan
jeffhorwitz.bsky.social
Meta earns $3.5 billion every six months from showing Faceboon and Instagram users 15 billion “higher legal risk” scam ad impressions a day, internal documents state.

That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.

www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Alex Kaplan
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
"The X algorithm prioritises sending new users right-wing leaning content", a Sky News Data and Forensics investigation reveals

news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:15 AM
alkapdc.bsky.social
Danielle Jurinsky last year participated in a Twitter/X Space organized by a QAnon influencer (www.mediamatters.org/mike-lindell...) in order to push her claims about immigration and Aurora.
QAnon figure MJTruth: "🚨 Aurora, Colorado I will be Interviewing the Aurora, Co. City Council Member and Whistleblower, Danielle Jurinsky. We will be discussing what is actually going on with the Venezuelan gangs taking over Aurora, Colorado. x.com/i/spaces/1plkq… Share this and get the word out. @DaniJurinsky @StellarChic11 @kimmagagal2"
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 AM
alkapdc.bsky.social
During appearances on a QAnon-affiliated podcast in 2023 & 2024, Kash Patel — who's now facing scrutiny for his personal use of a government plane — called on Congress to ground then-FBI Director Christopher Wray’s government-funded jet as leverage.

My latest:
On a far-right podcast, Kash Patel previously called on Congress to ground then-FBI Director Christopher Wray’s government-funded jet if the FBI didn’t answer congressional questions
www.mediamatters.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new podcast interview, Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, while criticizing his January 6 conviction, said that if he had "wanted to storm the Capitol, if I wanted to siege DC ... & take over buildings, I could have done it. If I would have planned it, it would have been successful."
November 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
Trump in 2023 amplified a video from a QAnon-promoting account that baselessly claimed that Dick Cheney was involved with planning 9/11 (9/11 trutherism is near universal in the QAnon community).
Trump amplifying a video from Truth Social account @WATCHER222 including Dick Cheney in a "criminal indictment" for the 9/11 attacks.
November 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
A few days ago, Aldo DiBelardino, a candidate for Virginia Beach, Virginia, sheriff known as "Peacemaker Aldo," told a QAnon figure on their podcast that "if I get elected on Tuesday," it will be due to "the help of your viewers."
November 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
Last week, Trump appointee & former national security advisor Michael Flynn was photographed at an event with people from a new QAnon media organization while apparently holding a cup with the organization's logo, which includes explicit QAnon references.
@TaylorTracie76: Pics from today We had a great and informative experience! Thank you @GenFlynn." Photo of Micharl Flynn apparently holding a Truther Media mug. Logo of Truther Media, which appeared to be on the mug Flynn was holding. It has on it "Q+," which is what QAnon supporters refer to Trump as, and "Q 17," a reference to Q being the 17th letter of the alphabet.
November 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
This past weekend, Andrew Torba, the CEO of Gab, a social media platform known as a haven for white nationalists, invoked Franco, Mussolini, & the Nazis on examples of gaining power, adding, "imagine how quickly things could happen with social media & word-of-mouth networks of private group chats."
Andrew Torba: "Writing defines what the movement is about (intellectual base). Speech gives it a face and emotion (charismatic base). Mass media scales it across a nation (organizational base). Franco consolidated command and legitimacy within about 18 months largely through newspapers and radio as the main medium of information and galvanization. For Mussolini it took about 3 years with newspapers and word of mouth. In just three years the National Socialists went from a fringe movement to the largest political party in Germany. The only reason Franco was a bit faster is because he had force and some institutional alignment. These were all 100 years ago, imagine how quickly things could happen with social media and word-of-mouth networks of private group chats. Three years is when by the way? Oh ya, 2028. Look at the time. Anyway, back to writing. 😎"
November 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new interview on his podcast, anti-vax figure Del Bigtree told anti-vax figure Sherri Tenpenny — one of the 2021 "Disinformation Dozen" figures reported as responsible for much anti-vaccine social media content — that "people come up" to him & say "I didn't vaccinate my kids because of" her.
October 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
One of Trump's amplifications earlier this week is of an image with a "Q+" in it. (That is a term QAnon supporters use to refer to Trump himself.) Trump has now amplified on Truth Social at least a dozen images featuring a Q+ in them.
Trump amplifying a post from @IStandWithTrump47. The post from @IStandWithTrump47 Trump amplified, which is an image of Trump with a "Q+" on him and with the text "the best is yet to come."
October 31, 2025 at 2:20 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
The official Gab account for far-right forum TheDonald this week explicitly invoked a phrase/symbol used by neo-Nazis to support Hitler (who is what the "HH" in the post is in reference to.) (www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...)
TheDonald's Gab account: "To be clear commie moslem is currently at 88% (HH brother). It will be fun to watch the kids trainwreck that is NYC in the next few years."
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Alex Kaplan
memeorandum.com
As right-wing media and Republicans attack Biden's use of autopen for pardons, January 6 participants say some Trump pardons were not signed at all (Alex Kaplan/Media Matters for America)

Main Link | memeorandum Permalink
October 30, 2025 at 6:46 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
Yesterday, in a Zoom chat among election denial figures that streams on a right-wing podcast, election denier Marly Hornik claimed that her organization's new lawsuit against New York over alleged voter roll inaccuracies would "secure the House majority for America First candidates in 2026."
October 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
In a new podcast interview, Return to the Land leader Eric Orwoll said that "I actually wholeheartedly support Patriot Front," despite claiming to @philinvestigates.com that he did not "completely agree with their strategy or, perhaps, ultimate objective."
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
Yesterday, Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on a podcast on a QAnon-affiliated channel, where she told the host, "I actually watch a lot of your content," & that "I really appreciate the topics you cover."
October 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
As right-wing & GOP figures attack Biden’s use of autopen for pardons, January 6 participants said on a podcast earlier this year that their pardons weren't signed at all.

My latest:
As right-wing media and Republicans attack Biden’s use of autopen for pardons, January 6 participants say some Trump pardons were not signed at all
www.mediamatters.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
alkapdc.bsky.social
On a podcast yesterday, Proud Boy Ethan Nordean said the Proud Boys hadn't returned to Portland because "if it's just kind of like a, 'Hey, there's an event going on, antifa’s throwing an event,' that's not a good reason to go," "especially if ICE & the National Guard & everybody's doing their job."
October 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM