rightwingwatch--2020-04-17--Twitter Yanks Infowars-Affiliated Accounts

Twitter permanently suspended at least four Infowars-affiliated accounts Thursday for violating the website ’ s policy against ban evasion , including a verified account used by one of the networks ’ hosts that had accumulated more than 150,000 followers .
According to Twitter , the accounts used by Infowars employees violated the site ’ s platform manipulation and spam policy , specifically rules against “ creating accounts to replace or mimic a suspended account.
” Twitter suspended Infowars and its conspiracy theorist founder Alex Jones in September 2018 for multiple violations of site policy .
The next month , CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen additional accounts affiliated with Infowars “ in part , for attempting to help InfoWars and its founder , conspiracy theorist Alex Jones , circumvent the ban Twitter placed on them.
” On Thursday , Twitter suspended the accounts used by Owen Shroyer , host of the Infowars program “ War Room , ” and Infowars news director Rob Dew .
It also suspended an account called “ Off Limits News , ” which was used by Infowars contributor Harrison Smith , and an account called “ Banned Video , ” which linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ video content .
Right Wing Watch emailed Infowars to inquire whether additional Infowars-linked accounts were suspended but did not receive a response prior to publication .
A core part of Infowars ’ latest strategy to skirt around the network ’ s nearly universal bans from social media has been the formation of satellite properties with names like “ Summit News ” and “ Action 7 ” that are run by Infowars employees , who upload Infowars content without Infowars branding to the social media sites .
The content posted on the ban-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Infowars programs .
For approximately a year , Infowars has successfully used this tactic to exploit apparent loopholes in social media platform policies .
Several Infowars-affiliated accounts remain untouched on Twitter , including but not limited to : • Paul Joseph Watson ( @ PrisonPlanet ) , a U.K.-based Infowars editor-at-large who currently writes content for a blog called “ Summit News ” to be cross-posted to Infowars ; • Millie Weaver ( @ millie__weaver ) , an Infowars contributor who uploads content to a YouTube channel called “ Millennial Millie ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • David Knight ( @ libertytarian ) , host of the Infowars program “ Real News with David Knight ” ; • Savanah Hernandez ( @ sav_says_ ) , an Infowars contributor who posts video to a YouTube channel called “ Action 7 ” to be cross-posted to Infowars ; • Dan Lyman ( @ CitizenAnalyst ) , an Infowars ’ “ foreign correspondent ” based in Europe ; and

Twitter permanently suspended at least four Infowars-affiliated accounts Thursday for violating the website’s policy against ban evasion, including a verified account used by one of the networks’ hosts that had accumulated more than 150,000 followers.
According to Twitter, the accounts used by Infowars employees violated the site’s platform manipulation and spam policy, specifically rules against “creating accounts to replace or mimic a suspended account.”
Twitter suspended Infowars and its conspiracy theorist founder Alex Jones in September 2018 for multiple violations of site policy. The next month, CNN reported that Twitter removed more than a dozen additional accounts affiliated with Infowars “in part, for attempting to help InfoWars and its founder, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, circumvent the ban Twitter placed on them.”
On Thursday, Twitter suspended the accounts used by Owen Shroyer, host of the Infowars program “War Room,” and Infowars news director Rob Dew. It also suspended an account called “Off Limits News,” which was used by Infowars contributor Harrison Smith, and an account called “Banned Video,” which linked to the platform that currently hosts Infowars’ video content. Right Wing Watch emailed Infowars to inquire whether additional Infowars-linked accounts were suspended but did not receive a response prior to publication.
A core part of Infowars’ latest strategy to skirt around the network’s nearly universal bans from social media has been the formation of satellite properties with names like “Summit News” and “Action 7” that are run by Infowars employees, who upload Infowars content without Infowars branding to the social media sites. The content posted on the ban-free satellite properties is typically cross-published and aired on Infowars programs. For approximately a year, Infowars has successfully used this tactic to exploit apparent loopholes in social media platform policies.
Several Infowars-affiliated accounts remain untouched on Twitter, including but not limited to:


rightwingwatch--2020-04-17--Michael Snyder Blames Trump Peace Plan for COVID-19’s Spread in U.S.

End Times prepper and unsuccessful congressional candidate Michael Snyder is the latest conservative Christian figure to blame the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the U.S. on the Trump administration ’ s proposed Middle East peace plan .
Snyder ’ s Friday column in Charisma reminds readers that in January he called the proposed deal “ the biggest mistake that Trump has made in his entire presidency ” and warned that it would curse the U.S. Snyder says he was “ deeply , deeply grieved ” by the fact that many evangelicals supported Trump ’ s plan , saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble.
” “ Now here we are , less than three months later , and churches all across America have been shut down by this coronavirus pandemic , ” Snyder writes .
“ Do you actually believe that this is just a coincidence ?
” “ Is it not just a coincidence that this coronavirus pandemic is hitting the United States much harder than anyone else ?
” Snyder asks , noting that the more than 600,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. is far more than any other country .
Snyder offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God ’ s judgment on the U.S. for actions toward Israel , beginning with the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident that occurred two days after the Egypt-Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington , D.C. As Right Wing Watch has reported , Snyder is an anti-flouride and anti-vaccine activist who has appeared multiple times on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ’ Infowars .
In 2016 , he called Hillary Clinton a modern day Jezebel and said the election was God ’ s “ final test for America.
” After the 2017 mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all evidence—that it had been carried out by antifascist activists as “ an attack on Trump supporters.
” Snyder ran and lost in the 2018 Republican primary in Idaho ’ s 1st Congressional District .
Others who have blamed the pandemic on U.S. efforts to encourage Israel to give up land in return for peace include End Times author William Koenig and the American Pastors Network ’ s Sam Rohrer .
Among religious-right figures , there are many competing interpretations of the meaning and purpose behind the COVID-19 pandemic , from a biowarfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an instrument of God to push people toward the church for an End Times revival .
This week , Florida-based televangelist Candice Smithyman said the coronavirus is a “ demonic stronghold from ancient Egypt .
”

End Times prepper and unsuccessful congressional candidate Michael Snyder is the latest conservative Christian figure to blame the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the U.S. on the Trump administration’s proposed Middle East peace plan. Snyder’s Friday column in Charisma reminds readers that in January he called the proposed deal “the biggest mistake that Trump has made in his entire presidency” and warned that it would curse the U.S.
Snyder says he was “deeply, deeply grieved” by the fact that many evangelicals supported Trump’s plan, saying, “I knew that would mean big trouble.”
“Now here we are, less than three months later, and churches all across America have been shut down by this coronavirus pandemic,” Snyder writes. “Do you actually believe that this is just a coincidence?”
“Is it not just a coincidence that this coronavirus pandemic is hitting the United States much harder than anyone else?” Snyder asks, noting that the more than 600,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. is far more than any other country.
Snyder offers 10 examples that he says were signs of God’s judgment on the U.S. for actions toward Israel, beginning with the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident that occurred two days after the Egypt-Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington, D.C.
As Right Wing Watch has reported, Snyder is an anti-flouride and anti-vaccine activist who has appeared multiple times on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars. In 2016, he called Hillary Clinton a modern day Jezebel and said the election was God’s “final test for America.” After the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Snyder speculated—against all evidence—that it had been carried out by antifascist activists as “an attack on Trump supporters.” Snyder ran and lost in the 2018 Republican primary in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.
Others who have blamed the pandemic on U.S. efforts to encourage Israel to give up land in return for peace include End Times author William Koenig and the American Pastors Network’s Sam Rohrer.
Among religious-right figures, there are many competing interpretations of the meaning and purpose behind the COVID-19 pandemic, from a biowarfare weapon meant to destroy the Trump presidency to an instrument of God to push people toward the church for an End Times revival. This week, Florida-based televangelist Candice Smithyman said the coronavirus is a “demonic stronghold from ancient Egypt.”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-17--How To Be a Prophet the Jim Bakker Way

How To Be a Prophet the Jim Bakker Way

End Times pastor Jim Bakker used his show yesterday to claim that the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic was the fulfillment of a prophecy he had foreseen and foretold months earlier .
During Bakker ’ s special “ Prophetic New Year ’ s Celebration ” event at his Morningside USA facility in Missouri on New Year ’ s Eve , which subsequently aired on several episodes of his television program in January , he made a vague prophecy that God ’ s judgment was going to be poured out on the world and that unspecified destruction would strike everywhere from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bakker never provided any details about what form this judgment would take , other than to say that Tel Aviv would suffer some sort of attack akin to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America .
At the time , we noted that Bakker ’ s “ prophecy ” was so vague that if anything happened anywhere in the world , Bakker would immediately claim it to be the fulfillment of his prophecy .
And that is exactly what Bakker is now doing , as he used his show yesterday to claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had foreseen and foretold .
“ On New Year ’ s Eve , ” Bakker said , “ I talked about [ how ] this would become a worldwide event .
God just pushed it on me and said , ‘ Make sure you tell the people there ’ s a worldwide event that ’ s coming this year . '
” Bakker said that he had to re-watch his own sermon because he didn ’ t even remember what he said since he was “ under the anointing ” of God when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocked by how accurate it was .
“ This is from God , ” Bakker said .
“ God told me things to say , and I believe this is the most important message at this time that I ’ ve ever preached.
” Bakker then reiterated his recent warning that conservative Christian leaders will be killed for defending the Bible .
“ The next attack from the left is going to be to right leaders—some of them I can tell you their names , they ’ re famous , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get them off the air , but there is going to be assassinations of preachers who dare to preach the Gospel , ” Bakker said .
“ God has dealt with me for years that one of the End Times things was going to be the assassination of preachers .
”

End Times pastor Jim Bakker used his show yesterday to claim that the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic was the fulfillment of a prophecy he had foreseen and foretold months earlier.
During Bakker’s special “Prophetic New Year’s Celebration” event at his Morningside USA facility in Missouri on New Year’s Eve, which subsequently aired on several episodes of his television program in January, he made a vague prophecy that God’s judgment was going to be poured out on the world and that unspecified destruction would strike everywhere from New York City to Tel Aviv, Israel.
Bakker never provided any details about what form this judgment would take, other than to say that Tel Aviv would suffer some sort of attack akin to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America.
At the time, we noted that Bakker’s “prophecy” was so vague that if anything happened anywhere in the world, Bakker would immediately claim it to be the fulfillment of his prophecy. And that is exactly what Bakker is now doing, as he used his show yesterday to claim that the coronavirus was the judgment that he had foreseen and foretold.
“On New Year’s Eve,” Bakker said, “I talked about [how] this would become a worldwide event. God just pushed it on me and said, ‘Make sure you tell the people there’s a worldwide event that’s coming this year.'”
Bakker said that he had to re-watch his own sermon because he didn’t even remember what he said since he was “under the anointing” of God when he delivered it, adding that he was shocked by how accurate it was.
“This is from God,” Bakker said. “God told me things to say, and I believe this is the most important message at this time that I’ve ever preached.”
Bakker then reiterated his recent warning that conservative Christian leaders will be killed for defending the Bible.
“The next attack from the left is going to be to right leaders—some of them I can tell you their names, they’re famous, you know them—they are going to do everything to get them off the air, but there is going to be assassinations of preachers who dare to preach the Gospel,” Bakker said. “God has dealt with me for years that one of the End Times things was going to be the assassination of preachers.”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-20--Right Wing Round-Up: Why God Won’t Stop the Coronavirus

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rightwingwatch--2020-04-20--Right Wing Bonus Tracks: The Worst Crime Against Humanity in History


rightwingwatch--2020-04-20--Liberty Counsel Urges Churches to ‘ReOpen’ Sunday, May 3

Religious-right legal group Liberty Counsel launched a campaign Monday “ calling on the churches to open and believers to start meeting again on Sunday , May 3 , ” which Liberty Counsel is calling ReOpen Church Sunday .
The announcement came as “ reopen ” protests organized by right-wing activists have targeted Democratic governors with calls to ease shutdown orders .
Liberty Counsel , known for anti-LGBTQ-equality activism , has recently defended Rodney Howard-Browne , a Tampa , Florida-based pastor who was arrested at the end of March for holding services that violated COVID-19-related restrictions on public gatherings .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online and has continued to use them to spread conspiracy theories .
Deaths of parishioners and pastors have been linked to church gatherings that defied social distancing guidelines .
In a press release distributed Monday , Liberty Counsel connected its “ ReOpen ” churches campaign to the Trump administration ’ s recently announced phases for states to begin lifting social distancing restrictions .
Liberty Counsel says churches “ should include appropriate measures of sanitization and appropriate social distancing between families ” and should consider a range of options , including seating outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals .
“ The lockdowns have closed churches at a time of greatest need , and they must reopen to meet the burgeoning needs of the community , ” Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said in the press release .
But he seemingly undermined the thrust of his campaign with the caveat , “ Each church is different and each one must assess when and how best to open.
” A Liberty Counsel webpage promoted as ReOpenChurch.org reproduces the content of the press release .

Religious-right legal group Liberty Counsel launched a campaign Monday “calling on the churches to open and believers to start meeting again on Sunday, May 3,” which Liberty Counsel is calling ReOpen Church Sunday. The announcement came as “reopen” protests organized by right-wing activists have targeted Democratic governors with calls to ease shutdown orders.
Liberty Counsel, known for anti-LGBTQ-equality activism, has recently defended Rodney Howard-Browne, a Tampa, Florida-based pastor who was arrested at the end of March for holding services that violated COVID-19-related restrictions on public gatherings. After his arrest, Howard-Browne took his services online and has continued to use them to spread conspiracy theories. Deaths of parishioners and pastors have been linked to church gatherings that defied social distancing guidelines.
In a press release distributed Monday, Liberty Counsel connected its “ReOpen” churches campaign to the Trump administration’s recently announced phases for states to begin lifting social distancing restrictions. Liberty Counsel says churches “should include appropriate measures of sanitization and appropriate social distancing between families” and should consider a range of options, including seating outside the building and online access for higher risk individuals.
“The lockdowns have closed churches at a time of greatest need, and they must reopen to meet the burgeoning needs of the community,” Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said in the press release. But he seemingly undermined the thrust of his campaign with the caveat, “Each church is different and each one must assess when and how best to open.”
A Liberty Counsel webpage promoted as ReOpenChurch.org reproduces the content of the press release.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-20--‘Liberate Roger Stone,’ Ed Martin Tells Trump

Right-wing activist Ed Martin is trying to boost his crusade for a presidential pardon for political operative and felon Roger Stone by co-opting language President Donald Trump has used to promote right-wing organizing efforts against Democratic governors .
“ Mr .
President , it ’ s time to liberate Roger Stone , ” Martin said in an edition of his “ Pro-America Report ” distributed to readers of his “ What You Need to Know ” email Monday morning .
Stone was convicted on seven felony counts last November , “ including lying to authorities , obstructing a congressional investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by Politico , and sentenced in February to 40 months in federal prison .
To Martin , Stone ’ s conviction and sentencing is “ an injustice , ” and Stone ’ s lying to Congress out of loyalty to Trump doesn ’ t deserve punishment but one of the nation ’ s highest honors .
Back in November , Martin called on Trump to give Stone a pardon and a Presidential Medal of Freedom on the same day .
In his recent broadcast , Martin repeated his call that Trump award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he deserves it for being loyal to Trump and refusing to go along with the attempted “ coup ” represented by the Mueller investigation : “ Roger Stone deserves a pardon .
Roger Stone has been a target of the coup that was meant to take you out of office , ” Martin urged Trump in his broadcast Friday , making an appeal directly to the president : We , Mr. President—Roger Stone , Phyllis Schlafly , Ed Martin , all these listeners , all these viewers , all these people all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know you made your promises , and you kept your promises .
But so did we .
So did a lot of Americans who have said , ‘ Yes , sir , you tell us it ’ s time to take a great pause .
We believe you , ’ and I do .
‘ You tell us it ’ s time to go back to work .
I believe you , and let ’ s do it.
’ But we , sir , need you to not leave men and women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field of battle .
And that ’ s what happened to Roger Stone .
He ’ s as clearly a combatant of the battle to save the presidency as we ’ ve had in political life .
There ’ s no better example .
I mean , General [ Mike ] Flynn is maybe the other one that I put there , the two of them that have just been persecuted for one reason , and that was proximity to the president , effectiveness at messaging , and then most of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody .
You can say what you want about Roger Stone … He did what he wanted in the face of establishment Republicans , conservative Republicans , whoever it was , he was going to be his own man .
When he threw in with Donald Trump , he was never going to betray him .
Martin added that when the country was being “ assaulted ” by Adam Schiff and the Mueller investigation , “ One guy was actually out there saying ‘ I won ’ t give in .
I won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stand up.
’ And frankly , he should get a medal .
After you give him the pardon , Mr. President , give Roger Stone a medal–the Medal of Freedom—for being a guy that was willing to stand up and never cave.
” A former colleague of the late conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly , Martin became embroiled in a bitter schism within her Eagle Forum group over accusations of mismanagement , charges that he was manipulating Schlafly , and her backing of Trump during the 2016 primaries when many of the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted Cruz .
He now heads a group called Phyllis Schlafly Eagles , part of her splintered legacy .
He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the county board of supervisors in Fairfax County , Virginia , last year .
On Mar .
10 , Martin told readers of his newsletter , “ The Left is doing everything they can to blow COVID-10 and the fluctuating economy out of proportion.
” He charged that Democrats “ know Joe Biden can ’ t take down Trump , so they are hoping the Wuhan coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , he had moved on to blaming multiculturalism for the pandemic .

Right-wing activist Ed Martin is trying to boost his crusade for a presidential pardon for political operative and felon Roger Stone by co-opting language President Donald Trump has used to promote right-wing organizing efforts against Democratic governors. “Mr. President, it’s time to liberate Roger Stone,” Martin said in an edition of his “Pro-America Report” distributed to readers of his “What You Need to Know” email Monday morning.
Stone was convicted on seven felony counts last November, “including lying to authorities, obstructing a congressional investigation, and witness intimidation,” as reported by Politico, and sentenced in February to 40 months in federal prison. To Martin, Stone’s conviction and sentencing is “an injustice,” and Stone’s lying to Congress out of loyalty to Trump doesn’t deserve punishment but one of the nation’s highest honors.
Back in November, Martin called on Trump to give Stone a pardon and a Presidential Medal of Freedom on the same day. In his recent broadcast, Martin repeated his call that Trump award Stone with the Medal of Freedom, saying he deserves it for being loyal to Trump and refusing to go along with the attempted “coup” represented by the Mueller investigation:
And what he did, he was convicted of lying to Congress. I mean, Congress lies to us all the time. They’re lying to us today. They’re lying about what they’re up to. They’re lying about what they mean to do. They’re lying about the money they appropriate. They lie all the time.
“Roger Stone deserves a pardon. Roger Stone has been a target of the coup that was meant to take you out of office,” Martin urged Trump in his broadcast Friday, making an appeal directly to the president:
We, Mr. President—Roger Stone, Phyllis Schlafly, Ed Martin, all these listeners, all these viewers, all these people all across the country—believed in you. And we know you made your promises, and you kept your promises. But so did we. So did a lot of Americans who have said, ‘Yes, sir, you tell us it’s time to take a great pause. We believe you,’ and I do. ‘You tell us it’s time to go back to work. I believe you, and let’s do it.’ But we, sir, need you to not leave men and women who believe in what you do on the field of battle. And that’s what happened to Roger Stone. He’s as clearly a combatant of the battle to save the presidency as we’ve had in political life. There’s no better example. I mean, General [Mike] Flynn is maybe the other one that I put there, the two of them that have just been persecuted for one reason, and that was proximity to the president, effectiveness at messaging, and then most of all, the inability to be owned by anybody. You can say what you want about Roger Stone … He did what he wanted in the face of establishment Republicans, conservative Republicans, whoever it was, he was going to be his own man. When he threw in with Donald Trump, he was never going to betray him.
Martin added that when the country was being “assaulted” by Adam Schiff and the Mueller investigation, “One guy was actually out there saying ‘I won’t give in. I won’t play this game. I will stand up.’ And frankly, he should get a medal. After you give him the pardon, Mr. President, give Roger Stone a medal–the Medal of Freedom—for being a guy that was willing to stand up and never cave.”
A former colleague of the late conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, Martin became embroiled in a bitter schism within her Eagle Forum group over accusations of mismanagement, charges that he was manipulating Schlafly, and her backing of Trump during the 2016 primaries when many of the group’s activist leaders were supporting Sen. Ted Cruz. He now heads a group called Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, part of her splintered legacy. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the county board of supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia, last year.
On Mar. 10, Martin told readers of his newsletter, “The Left is doing everything they can to blow COVID-10 and the fluctuating economy out of proportion.” He charged that Democrats “know Joe Biden can’t take down Trump, so they are hoping the Wuhan coronavirus will do the job for them.” Earlier this month, he had moved on to blaming multiculturalism for the pandemic.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-20--Jim Bakker Begs Viewers: ‘Don’t Let Me Have to File for Bankruptcy’

On his television program today , End Times pastor Jim Bakker begged viewers to send in donations by check so he can keep his ministry afloat and not have to declare bankruptcy .
As Right Wing Watch reported last week , Bakker is facing a dire financial crisis as a result of his network being unable to process credit card transactions ever since it found itself facing various legal problems for promoting the silver solution it sold as a possible cure for the COVID-19 coronavirus .
“ I ’ m just sad to see what ’ s happening to America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living in the final days , and if we go the wrong direction , America is through .
You have to use a check [ to donate or purchase products ] .
Your products are going to come to you .
Every one of them will come right to your house , and if we can ’ t , we are going to refund .
I will sell parts of the buildings at Morningside in the long run if you give me a chance .
Don ’ t let me have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re already bleeding us to death , and now we ’ re going to have to pay lawyers that will bleed you to death , ” Bakker continued .
“ I know [ my critics ] are watching me right now , and they ’ re having a ball .
They ’ re having a ball , and they ’ re saying , ‘ Wow , we ’ ve whipped Jim Bakker finally ’ … I ’ ll tell you what , you all may want my head on a platter , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be gone to Heaven , and you ’ re not going to win .
You ’ re not going to win because I ’ m 80 years old , and I don ’ t need to win .
I need to please God , and that ’ s what I ’ m going to do the rest of my life .
”

On his television program today, End Times pastor Jim Bakker begged viewers to send in donations by check so he can keep his ministry afloat and not have to declare bankruptcy.
As Right Wing Watch reported last week, Bakker is facing a dire financial crisis as a result of his network being unable to process credit card transactions ever since it found itself facing various legal problems for promoting the silver solution it sold as a possible cure for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“I’m just sad to see what’s happening to America,” Bakker said. “We are living in the final days, and if we go the wrong direction, America is through. You have to use a check [to donate or purchase products]. Your products are going to come to you. Every one of them will come right to your house, and if we can’t, we are going to refund. I will sell parts of the buildings at Morningside in the long run if you give me a chance. Don’t let me have to file for bankruptcy.”
“They’re already bleeding us to death, and now we’re going to have to pay lawyers that will bleed you to death,” Bakker continued. “I know [my critics] are watching me right now, and they’re having a ball. They’re having a ball, and they’re saying, ‘Wow, we’ve whipped Jim Bakker finally’ … I’ll tell you what, you all may want my head on a platter, and you may get it, but I’ll be gone to Heaven, and you’re not going to win. You’re not going to win because I’m 80 years old, and I don’t need to win. I need to please God, and that’s what I’m going to do the rest of my life.”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--Right Wing Round-Up: The Cult of QAnon

Right Wing Round-Up: The Cult of QAnon


rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--Right Wing Bonus Tracks: The Importance of States’ Rights

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rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--When ‘Christian Civilization’ Means Jailing Journalists, Firing Theater Directors, and Banning ‘Tran

When ‘Christian Civilization’ Means Jailing Journalists, Firing Theater Directors, and Banning ‘Transgenderism’

Steve Turley , a religious-right author and podcaster who spoke at last year ’ s World Congress of Families global summit , cheered Hungary ’ s authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a “ Turley Talks ” video posted on YouTube April 17 .
Orbán , who hosted the WCF ’ s summit in 2017 , is adored by U.S. religious-right leaders in spite of—or rather because of—his autocratic leadership , his aggressive Christian nationalism , and his socially conservative policies on the family .
Orbán ’ s moves to take control of the judiciary and stifle critics in media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfriendly nickname of Viktator to his critics in the European Union .
He recently consolidated his power even further when Hungary ’ s parliament gave him the authority to rule by decree during the coronavirus crisis .
To Turley , who views Orbán as a champion of Christian civilization , Orbán ’ s moves are to be celebrated , not criticized .
In his recent podcast , Turley dismissed complaints from some Orbán critics that the parliament had effectively been suspended .
Noting that Orbán ’ s Fidez party has a super-majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So why on Earth would the Prime Minister suspend a parliament where his own political party has over two thirds of the seats ?
They own the parliament for heaven ’ s sakes.
” Without any apparent sense of irony , Turley said in the very next sentences that the parliament that the ruling party “ owns ” can somehow be counted on to check Orbán ’ s use of his new powers : “ Moreover , the Hungarian parliament has the right to suspend these temporary powers that they ’ ve given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit .
So there are clear checks and balances still in place.
” Turley ’ s use of the phrase “ checks and balances ” is particularly remarkable , since Orbán has notoriously mocked the very idea of checks and balances .
“ ‘ Checks and balances ’ is a U.S. invention that for some reason of intellectual mediocrity Europe decided to adopt and use in European politics , ” Orbán declared in 2014 .
But even more remarkable is Turley ’ s glee at Orbán ’ s authoritarianism .
He gushes over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ First and foremost , Orbán has threatened to imprison any so-called journalist guilty of spreading fake news , ” Turley said .
Shouldn ’ t lovers of freedom find the jailing of journalists at least a bit problematic ?
Not Turley , whose explanation seems to suggest he ’ d be quite happy if U.S. President Donald Trump asserted the same kind of power : Now what [ Orbán ] seems to be doing here is responding to the ineptitude of the legal system to hold left-wing activists disguised as journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bias , which as we ’ ve seen in the United States has just gone into hyperdrive since the coronavirus pandemic .
Just think of the absurd antics of CNN ’ s Jim Acosta and his comrades in the media , who ’ ve turned out to be more , far more akin to hecklers than reporters during the coronavirus task force press briefings .
Orbán is even—he ’ s not even remotely tolerating any such nonsense .
Hungary is in effect declaring itself a fake-news-free nation .
Turley also celebrates that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually indeed in the process of taking over the arts and fumigating any trace of Cultural Marxism from them.
” Yes , “ fumigating.
” Orbán has used anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic tropes in his culture war efforts and his use of public memorials to enshrine his version of revisionist history .
In fact , Orbán sees the revitalization of the arts as central to a revitalized Christian Hungary .
An interesting side note here is that Hungary ’ s government spends more on cultural—on culture and the arts than almost any other nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic product .
Hungary spends about 3.5 percent of its GDP on the arts ; most European nations about 1 percent .
So the Orbán government is taking the role of recovering Hungary ’ s culture very , very seriously , and has announced that they ’ re setting up a National Cultural Council headed by a government minister , and with the task of setting priorities and directions to be followed in Hungarian culture with the revitalization of Christian culture .
And the important point here is that the minister would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly theater directors at institutions that receive state funds .
And the third way Orbán is “ crushing left-wing liberalism , ” according to Turley , is his “ ban on transgenderism ” : Orbán ’ s “ pro-family ” policies—celebrated recently by Trump administration officials—have resulted in a rise in marriage and birth rates , Turley said , adding , “ So , everywhere you look in Hungary , it really does appear as if secular leftist liberalism is being destroyed , crushed under the enormous weight of a renewed conservative civilization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprisingly , Turley is also a fan of Donald Trump .
In a 2017 podcast , he said that Trump is playing a “ redemptive ” role in protecting the Christian church and is also “ an indispensable part ” of a “ trajectory ” that will bring the U.S. a “ morally upstanding evangelical ” as president “ in the form of Mike Pence.
” In his book “ The Return of Christendom : Demography , Politics , and the Coming Christian Majority , ” Turley argued that because religious conservatives have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world is seeing “ nothing less than a conservative Christian resurgence in our demographics and politics that promises not suicide but rather the salvation of the West.
” He told the World Congress of Families audience that America ’ s future will be “ evangelical , Mormon , and Amish.
” Last year , in a podcast titled “ WHITES Projected to Become Dominant SUPERMAJORITY in U.S. , ” Turley said that multiculturalism is “ slowly and surely dissipating ” and it will be replaced by “ the restoration of a distinctively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will continue to define our nation for generations to come .
”

Steve Turley, a religious-right author and podcaster who spoke at last year’s World Congress of Families global summit, cheered Hungary’s authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a “Turley Talks” video posted on YouTube April 17. Orbán, who hosted the WCF’s summit in 2017, is adored by U.S. religious-right leaders in spite of—or rather because of—his autocratic leadership, his aggressive Christian nationalism, and his socially conservative policies on the family.
Orbán’s moves to take control of the judiciary and stifle critics in media and civil society have earned him the unfriendly nickname of Viktator to his critics in the European Union. He recently consolidated his power even further when Hungary’s parliament gave him the authority to rule by decree during the coronavirus crisis.
To Turley, who views Orbán as a champion of Christian civilization, Orbán’s moves are to be celebrated, not criticized. In his recent podcast, Turley dismissed complaints from some Orbán critics that the parliament had effectively been suspended. Noting that Orbán’s Fidez party has a super-majority in the parliament, Turley asked, “So why on Earth would the Prime Minister suspend a parliament where his own political party has over two thirds of the seats? They own the parliament for heaven’s sakes.”
Without any apparent sense of irony, Turley said in the very next sentences that the parliament that the ruling party “owns” can somehow be counted on to check Orbán’s use of his new powers: “Moreover, the Hungarian parliament has the right to suspend these temporary powers that they’ve given to the Prime Minister anytime they see fit. So there are clear checks and balances still in place.”
Turley’s use of the phrase “checks and balances” is particularly remarkable, since Orbán has notoriously mocked the very idea of checks and balances. “‘Checks and balances’ is a U.S. invention that for some reason of intellectual mediocrity Europe decided to adopt and use in European politics,” Orbán declared in 2014.
But even more remarkable is Turley’s glee at Orbán’s authoritarianism. He gushes over Orbán “crushing left-wing liberalism in Hungary.”
“First and foremost, Orbán has threatened to imprison any so-called journalist guilty of spreading fake news,” Turley said. Shouldn’t lovers of freedom find the jailing of journalists at least a bit problematic?
Not Turley, whose explanation seems to suggest he’d be quite happy if U.S. President Donald Trump asserted the same kind of power:
Now what [Orbán] seems to be doing here is responding to the ineptitude of the legal system to hold left-wing activists disguised as journalists accountable for their blatant anti-conservative cultural Marxist bias, which as we’ve seen in the United States has just gone into hyperdrive since the coronavirus pandemic. Just think of the absurd antics of CNN’s Jim Acosta and his comrades in the media, who’ve turned out to be more, far more akin to hecklers than reporters during the coronavirus task force press briefings. Orbán is even—he’s not even remotely tolerating any such nonsense. Hungary is in effect declaring itself a fake-news-free nation.
Turley also celebrates that “Orbán’s nationalist populist government is actually indeed in the process of taking over the arts and fumigating any trace of Cultural Marxism from them.” Yes, “fumigating.” Orbán has used anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic tropes in his culture war efforts and his use of public memorials to enshrine his version of revisionist history.
Here’s more from Turley:
In fact, Orbán sees the revitalization of the arts as central to a revitalized Christian Hungary. An interesting side note here is that Hungary’s government spends more on cultural—on culture and the arts than almost any other nation in Europe in terms of its gross domestic product. Hungary spends about 3.5 percent of its GDP on the arts; most European nations about 1 percent. So the Orbán government is taking the role of recovering Hungary’s culture very, very seriously, and has announced that they’re setting up a National Cultural Council headed by a government minister, and with the task of setting priorities and directions to be followed in Hungarian culture with the revitalization of Christian culture. And the important point here is that the minister would have a role in hiring and firing, particularly theater directors at institutions that receive state funds.
And the third way Orbán is “crushing left-wing liberalism,” according to Turley, is his “ban on transgenderism”:
Orbán has approved of legislation that would force transgender people to have to affirm the same gender as designated on their birth certificates, as well as a complete and total ban on so-called gender reassignment therapy and surgery altogether in Hungary.
Orbán’s “pro-family” policies—celebrated recently by Trump administration officials—have resulted in a rise in marriage and birth rates, Turley said, adding, “So, everywhere you look in Hungary, it really does appear as if secular leftist liberalism is being destroyed, crushed under the enormous weight of a renewed conservative civilization. God bless Viktor Orbán.”
Not surprisingly, Turley is also a fan of Donald Trump. In a 2017 podcast, he said that Trump is playing a “redemptive” role in protecting the Christian church and is also “an indispensable part” of a “trajectory” that will bring the U.S. a “morally upstanding evangelical” as president “in the form of Mike Pence.”
In his book “The Return of Christendom: Demography, Politics, and the Coming Christian Majority,” Turley argued that because religious conservatives have so many more children than secularists, the world is seeing “nothing less than a conservative Christian resurgence in our demographics and politics that promises not suicide but rather the salvation of the West.” He told the World Congress of Families audience that America’s future will be “evangelical, Mormon, and Amish.” Last year, in a podcast titled “WHITES Projected to Become Dominant SUPERMAJORITY in U.S.,” Turley said that multiculturalism is “slowly and surely dissipating” and it will be replaced by “the restoration of a distinctively American culture, custom, and tradition that will continue to define our nation for generations to come.”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--White Nationalist Activist and Father Both Arrested for Crimes Against Women

White nationalist activist Augustus sol Invictus , whose birth name is Austin Gillespie , and his father John Gillespie were both arrested on separate charges .
Invictus was arrested earlier this year on charges of kidnapping , “ high and aggravated ” domestic violence , and possession of a firearm while committing a violent crime after he allegedly choked his wife , held a gun to her head ,  and forced her to accompany him to Florida with him .
According to The Informant , a South Carolina judge threw out the kidnapping charge and allowed Invictus to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Invictus ’ wife begging that he stay behind bars for her and her children ’ s safety .
The judge ’ s order required Invictus to not contact his wife .
Invictus was arrested after violating both the no-contact condition for his release and a protection order forbidding Augustus from contacting his wife until February 2021 , according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant provided to Right Wing Watch .
The affidavit states that Invictus ’ wife swore in a written statement that Invictus made contact with her at a park and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her demanding to see their children .
In one instance , according to the affidavit , Invictus sent a text message to their daughter instructing his wife to bring their children to the park “ or else , ” and in another , he told their children that their mother was a “ whore ” because she had a conversation with a stranger .
The affidavit states that Invictus ’ wife estimated that he contacted her “ 20 plus times ” through their daughter since his release from jail in attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages from Invictus ’ phone in which he sent photos of his wife ’ s vehicle and license plate to others in an effort to locate her and was “ tracked driving in circles , ” likely searching for his wife ’ s residence. Right Wing Watch has sent a records request to the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office and will follow this story as we receive more information .
 Invictus ’ s arrest was proceeded by his father ’ s .
The elder Gillespie , who worked as a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested Saturday after agreeing to pay for sex with a law enforcement agent posing as a 16-year-old girl , as reported by the Orlando Sentinel .
Investigators claimed that Gillespie was “ using his law firm to recruit women into prostitution ” for as long as 20 years , according to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation .
According to an arrest affidavit provided to Right Wing Watch , authorities wiretapped several of Gillespie ’ s phones and intercepted several calls that “ led Agents to believe John Gillespie was in fact prostituting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old girl was introduced to him , Gillespie agreed to feature the her in “ adult web-camming and prostituting her out ” and to pay $ 100 to have sex with her .
Orlando Sentinel reported : John Gillespie was arrested Saturday in Orange Country , Florida , on charges of sex trafficking , racketeering , and unlawful use of a two-way communication device .
He is being held without bond .

White nationalist activist Augustus sol Invictus, whose birth name is Austin Gillespie, and his father John Gillespie were both arrested on separate charges.
Invictus was arrested earlier this year on charges of kidnapping, “high and aggravated” domestic violence, and possession of a firearm while committing a violent crime after he allegedly choked his wife, held a gun to her head, and forced her to accompany him to Florida with him. According to The Informant, a South Carolina judge threw out the kidnapping charge and allowed Invictus to leave jail with a $10,000 bond despite Invictus’ wife begging that he stay behind bars for her and her children’s safety. The judge’s order required Invictus to not contact his wife.
Invictus was arrested after violating both the no-contact condition for his release and a protection order forbidding Augustus from contacting his wife until February 2021, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant provided to Right Wing Watch. The affidavit states that Invictus’ wife swore in a written statement that Invictus made contact with her at a park and made “daily third party contact” with her demanding to see their children. In one instance, according to the affidavit, Invictus sent a text message to their daughter instructing his wife to bring their children to the park “or else,” and in another, he told their children that their mother was a “whore” because she had a conversation with a stranger.
The affidavit states that Invictus’ wife estimated that he contacted her “20 plus times” through their daughter since his release from jail in attempts to harass her. Additionally, officials obtained messages from Invictus’ phone in which he sent photos of his wife’s vehicle and license plate to others in an effort to locate her and was “tracked driving in circles,” likely searching for his wife’s residence.
Right Wing Watch has sent a records request to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and will follow this story as we receive more information.
Invictus’s arrest was proceeded by his father’s. The elder Gillespie, who worked as a criminal defense attorney in Central Florida, was arrested Saturday after agreeing to pay for sex with a law enforcement agent posing as a 16-year-old girl, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. Investigators claimed that Gillespie was “using his law firm to recruit women into prostitution” for as long as 20 years, according to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
According to an arrest affidavit provided to Right Wing Watch, authorities wiretapped several of Gillespie’s phones and intercepted several calls that “led Agents to believe John Gillespie was in fact prostituting out several females from his residence.” When an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old girl was introduced to him, Gillespie agreed to feature the her in “adult web-camming and prostituting her out” and to pay $100 to have sex with her. Orlando Sentinel reported:
“Evidence demonstrates Gillespie would initiate women he represented on criminal charges into prostitution or exchange sex acts for legal fees,” the agency said. “Gillespie provided the women with illegal drugs, posted them on-line as escorts, arranged the prostitution dates and allowed them to use his Melbourne home for the acts of prostitution.”
John Gillespie was arrested Saturday in Orange Country, Florida, on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He is being held without bond.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--VDARE Claims ‘Huge Victory’ in Trump’s Proposal to Halt Immigration

Anti-immigration writer Peter Brimelow and his white nationalist organization VDARE have declared “ victory ” in the wake of President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that he plans to temporarily cease immigration into the United States .
Trump tweeted Monday night that because of “ the attack from the Invisible Enemy ” —a term he uses to refer to the COVID-19 coronavirus— ” as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens , I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States !
” On Twitter , Brimelow wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s *anyone else* in the entire Executive Branch who had any idea D. Trump was going to tweet out an immigration ban , ” but followed up , tweeting , “ who cares , he ’ s right !
” Leaked emails published by the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller ’ s affinity for white nationalism .
In 2015 , the SPLC reported Miller emailed a Breitbart News editor a link to an article on VDARE ’ s site on the same day it had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white nationalist Richard Spencer to invite Brimelow to an event on Duke University ’ s campus in 2007. Miller is widely considered the architect of some of the Trump administration ’ s harshest immigration policies .
On the VDARE blog Monday night , a headline declared : “ VICTORY : Donald Trump Announces Immigration Moratorium.
” In the blog post , VDARE took credit for Trump ’ s announcement , writing , “ VDARE has castigated the GOP for weeks for doing nothing about immigration in response to the pandemic .
Trump just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VDARE continued , “ This proposal signals that Trump is serious about putting America First .
He may have very well won re-election tonight.
” “ Trump makes a more extensive moratorium , an idea long championed by VDARE , a realistic possibility , ” the VDARE blog states .
“ This is a huge victory for the cause of immigration patriotism and will reverberate for years to come.
” In a fundraising email , VDARE claimed that it “ made history.
” The email read : VDARE has been advocating immigration moratorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments ago , President Donald Trump took the courageous step of signing an executive order to do just that .
This is a major victory for all of us on the front lines and we can not let it be the last .
This immigration moratorium will be attacked like no policy in modern political history — in the streets , and in the courts .
We ’ ve seen it all before , but never like this .
We must stand together .
VDARE is one of many white nationalist organizations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , largely due to Trump ’ s anti-immigrant rhetoric .
And that interest seems to have been at least somewhat reciprocated by some in the Trump administration ; Brimelow attended a birthday party held at Trump adviser Larry Kudlow ’ s home in 2018. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists VDARE , founded in 1999 by Brimelow , as a white nationalist hate group .
The organization , which has a nonprofit tax status , has advocated for extreme anti-immigrant policies and acts as a clearing house for white nationalist , anti-Semitic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often write under pseudonyms .
In February , Right Wing Watch identified “ Paul Kersey ,  ” who wrote hundreds of racist articles for VDARE , as former WorldNetDaily staffer Michael J. Thompson .

Anti-immigration writer Peter Brimelow and his white nationalist organization VDARE have declared “victory” in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to temporarily cease immigration into the United States.
Trump tweeted Monday night that because of “the attack from the Invisible Enemy”—a term he uses to refer to the COVID-19 coronavirus—”as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”
In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2020
On Twitter, Brimelow wrote that he wondered “if there’s *anyone else* in the entire Executive Branch who had any idea D. Trump was going to tweet out an immigration ban,” but followed up, tweeting, “who cares, he’s right!”
Leaked emails published by the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller’s affinity for white nationalism. In 2015, the SPLC reported Miller emailed a Breitbart News editor a link to an article on VDARE’s site on the same day it had been posted. Miller once worked directly with white nationalist Richard Spencer to invite Brimelow to an event on Duke University’s campus in 2007. Miller is widely considered the architect of some of the Trump administration’s harshest immigration policies.
On the VDARE blog Monday night, a headline declared: “VICTORY: Donald Trump Announces Immigration Moratorium.” In the blog post, VDARE took credit for Trump’s announcement, writing, “VDARE has castigated the GOP for weeks for doing nothing about immigration in response to the pandemic. Trump just did exactly what’s needed.” VDARE continued, “This proposal signals that Trump is serious about putting America First. He may have very well won re-election tonight.”
“Trump makes a more extensive moratorium, an idea long championed by VDARE, a realistic possibility,” the VDARE blog states. “This is a huge victory for the cause of immigration patriotism and will reverberate for years to come.”
In a fundraising email, VDARE claimed that it “made history.” The email read:
VDARE has been advocating immigration moratorium for TWENTY YEARS, and finally, moments ago, President Donald Trump took the courageous step of signing an executive order to do just that. […] This is a major victory for all of us on the front lines and we cannot let it be the last. This immigration moratorium will be attacked like no policy in modern political history — in the streets, and in the courts. We’ve seen it all before, but never like this. We must stand together.
VDARE is one of many white nationalist organizations that took keen interest in Trump in 2016, largely due to Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. And that interest seems to have been at least somewhat reciprocated by some in the Trump administration; Brimelow attended a birthday party held at Trump adviser Larry Kudlow’s home in 2018.
The Southern Poverty Law Center lists VDARE, founded in 1999 by Brimelow, as a white nationalist hate group. The organization, which has a nonprofit tax status, has advocated for extreme anti-immigrant policies and acts as a clearing house for white nationalist, anti-Semitic, and “race realist” writers who often write under pseudonyms. In February, Right Wing Watch identified “Paul Kersey,” who wrote hundreds of racist articles for VDARE, as former WorldNetDaily staffer Michael J. Thompson.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-21--‘Reopen’ Protests Stir Up the Far-Right

‘Reopen’ Protests Stir Up the Far-Right

Right-wing protest events against states ’ stay-at-home orders and nonessential business closures have sprouted up across the country , attracting far-right activists who see a friendly avenue for their own extreme messages .
Protesters rallied in at least six states last week in opposition to measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus , including orders to avoid public spaces , cancel social events , and close businesses deemed nonessential .
The  ” Reopen ” events are the manifestation of a push by a powerful coalition of right-wing groups , including FreedomWorks , Americans for Prosperity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reopening of the U.S. economy .
The Michigan Freedom Fund , a group linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ’ family , is helping organize the state events on Facebook , and NBC News found that a family-run network of pro-gun Facebook groups is responsible for some of the largest protest pages .
Perhaps unsurprisingly , the protests have received glowing coverage in right-wing media .
Fox News has advertised the protests while the network ’ s hosts have spoken favorably about participants .
The sudden spark of big-donor groups , state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong parallels to the astroturf origins of the Tea Party movement .
Minutes after a Fox News segment Friday about the protests , President Donald Trump tweeted , “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
, ” “ LIBERATE MINNESOTA !
, ” and “ LIBERATE VIRGINIA , and save your great 2nd Amendment .
It is under siege !
”  All three states are led by Democratic governors .
NBC News reported that Trump ’ s tweets led right-wing extremists online “ to speculate whether the president was advocating for armed conflict , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable in the United States .
According to NBC News , the Network Contagion Research Institute recorded a major spike in the term “ boogaloo , ” which is a phrase popular with far-right extremists online to refer to a supposedly inevitable modern civil war .
In Michigan , protests reportedly attracted members of the violent hate groups , anti-government militias , anti-vaccination groups , and religious-right fundamentalists .
The Guardian reports that members of the Michigan Proud Boys hate group participated in a vehicle convoy , and an activist from Michigan Liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of firearms , warnings of civil war , celebrations of Norse paganism and memes ultimately sourced from white nationalist groups like Patriot Front ” was interviewed by local radio .
At the Texas state capitol in Austin last weekend , members of the Infowars entourage including conspiracy theorist Alex Jones reportedly attracted hundreds of protesters for a rally called “ You Can ’ t Close America ” organized by Infowars host Owen Shroyer .
As Right Wing Watch reported earlier this month , Shroyer had threatened to encourage the Infowars audience into “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were not lifted in a week .
After protests in Michigan last Wednesday , Shroyer followed through on the promise and announced the Texas rally , which anti-vaccine activists attended .
The Colorado Times Recorder reported that “ anti-vaccination activists , conspiracy theory advocates ( including a Q-Anon supporter ) and members of the Proud Boys hate group ” were present at a “ ReOpen Colorado ” rally Sunday .
Nathan Bernard reported that a “ ReOpen Maine ” rally Monday was organized in part by a state representative who “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theories , ” such as the claim that abortion and immigration are part of a plot to eliminate white people .
Protesting against stay-at-home orders has become a common cause for those among the far-right ranks .
By calling COVID-19 a big hoax , asserting that the threat is overblown for political reasons , and advancing conspiracy theories about the search for a coronavirus vaccine , right-wing activists and media figures have created an environment for these protests to take hold .
Meanwhile , unabashed extremists see the “ Reopen ” protest movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fomenting a rebellion against the government or targeting minority groups for hate .

Right-wing protest events against states’ stay-at-home orders and nonessential business closures have sprouted up across the country, attracting far-right activists who see a friendly avenue for their own extreme messages.
Protesters rallied in at least six states last week in opposition to measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, including orders to avoid public spaces, cancel social events, and close businesses deemed nonessential. The ”Reopen” events are the manifestation of a push by a powerful coalition of right-wing groups, including FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, and the Heritage Foundation, to advance the reopening of the U.S. economy.
The Michigan Freedom Fund, a group linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ family, is helping organize the state events on Facebook, and NBC News found that a family-run network of pro-gun Facebook groups is responsible for some of the largest protest pages.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the protests have received glowing coverage in right-wing media. Fox News has advertised the protests while the network’s hosts have spoken favorably about participants. The sudden spark of big-donor groups, state organizing, and right-wing media coverage invokes strong parallels to the astroturf origins of the Tea Party movement.
Minutes after a Fox News segment Friday about the protests, President Donald Trump tweeted, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!,” “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!,” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” All three states are led by Democratic governors.
LIBERATE MINNESOTA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
NBC News reported that Trump’s tweets led right-wing extremists online “to speculate whether the president was advocating for armed conflict,” which extremists have spent decades claiming is inevitable in the United States. According to NBC News, the Network Contagion Research Institute recorded a major spike in the term “boogaloo,” which is a phrase popular with far-right extremists online to refer to a supposedly inevitable modern civil war.
In Michigan, protests reportedly attracted members of the violent hate groups, anti-government militias, anti-vaccination groups, and religious-right fundamentalists. The Guardian reports that members of the Michigan Proud Boys hate group participated in a vehicle convoy, and an activist from Michigan Liberty Militia whose Facebook page “features pictures of firearms, warnings of civil war, celebrations of Norse paganism and memes ultimately sourced from white nationalist groups like Patriot Front” was interviewed by local radio.
At the Texas state capitol in Austin last weekend, members of the Infowars entourage including conspiracy theorist Alex Jones reportedly attracted hundreds of protesters for a rally called “You Can’t Close America” organized by Infowars host Owen Shroyer. As Right Wing Watch reported earlier this month, Shroyer had threatened to encourage the Infowars audience into “revolting” against social distancing measures if they were not lifted in a week. After protests in Michigan last Wednesday, Shroyer followed through on the promise and announced the Texas rally, which anti-vaccine activists attended.
The Colorado Times Recorder reported that “anti-vaccination activists, conspiracy theory advocates (including a Q-Anon supporter) and members of the Proud Boys hate group” were present at a “ReOpen Colorado” rally Sunday. Nathan Bernard reported that a “ReOpen Maine” rally Monday was organized in part by a state representative who “is known locally for spreading white nationalist conspiracy theories,” such as the claim that abortion and immigration are part of a plot to eliminate white people.
Protesting against stay-at-home orders has become a common cause for those among the far-right ranks. By calling COVID-19 a big hoax, asserting that the threat is overblown for political reasons,and advancing conspiracy theories about the search for a coronavirus vaccine, right-wing activists and media figures have created an environment for these protests to take hold. Meanwhile, unabashed extremists see the “Reopen” protest movement as fertile ground for their agendas–whether it be fomenting a rebellion against the government or targeting minority groups for hate.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-22--Right Wing Round-Up: Leave No Judicial Vacancy Behind


rightwingwatch--2020-04-22--Right Wing Bonus Tracks: No Plans to Get Tested


rightwingwatch--2020-04-22--Beyond #FireFauci: Conspiracy Theorists Claim Fauci ‘Directly Responsible’ For COVID-19

While some right-wing activists have called on President Donald Trump to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci , a prominent voice during the COVID-19 pandemic , one far-right conspiracy theory site is telling millions of viewers that being fired is “ the nicest thing that could be done to Fauci ” and is calling him a traitorous criminal who is “ directly responsible ” for the development of the coronavirus .
Fauci heads the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and has sometimes angered Trump supporters by correcting misinformation dispensed by the president .
On April 12 , Trump retweeted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theorist DeAnna Lorraine to “ # FireFauci.
” Conspiracy site Next News Network went a step further on April 16 , publishing a long interview with Dr. Rashid Buttar who , as Media Matters noted in its report on the video , “ proceeded to push multiple falsehoods and conspiracy theories , ” including the claim that not a single death had actually been demonstrated to be caused by the COVID-19 virus .
Buttar claimed that social distancing guidelines defy “ every logical aspect of science and medicine.
” Buttar accused Fauci of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ chimeric ” research and directing funding toward research that Buttar claims led to the creation of the COVID-19 virus in a North Carolina lab .
Host Gary Franchi said that research was then outsourced to China .
Here ’ s part of the exchange about Fauci between host Gary Franchi and Buttar , who has been described by Huffington Post as “ a widely discredited osteopath ” : I ’ m gon na say this , I think I ’ ve seen some petitions going around .
I know Dr. Shiva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that ’ s the nicest thing that could be done to Fauci … He ’ s a criminal .
He ’ s broken the law .
He ’ s going against the government .
I mean , to me , that seems like it ’ s a traitorous thing to do when you—the government has passed a regulation , and he ’ s at one of the highest levels in the NIH .
He ’ s got a directorship at the NIH .
And then he breaks the law .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against something that could potentially cause harm throughout the entire world .
And he ’ s in collusion with a foreign government to do—I mean , I don ’ t know .
That ’ s a matter for attorneys to decide .
Buttar then talked about the early days of the HIV crisis , when he claimed Fauci was “ pushing the agenda of a drug prophylactically to treat people for a condition that has now been seen to be related to lifestyle , nutritional status , all sorts of other things.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis , he charged that there is a “ conflict of interest ” involved in Fauci pushing for an unproven vaccine while arguing against treating patients with drugs promoted by Trump that have not yet been shown to be safe or effective .
People need to wake up and realize there is a massive criminal component to this .
This entire world economy , the whole world economy shutting down , it comes back to one person , in my opinion , and that ’ s Fauci .
Now , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charade , obviously , but Fauci is the person that they ’ ve put up in the front , and Fauci is the one who had the ability to stop this .
In 2018 , The Guardian identified the Next News Network as “ a dubious operation that recycles stories harvested from far-right publications , fake news sites and Russian media outlets.
” It reported that Franchi was “ once a leading proponent of a conspiracy that claimed the US government was creating concentration camps for its citizens ” and noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the network ’ s anti-Clinton videos in the run-up to the 2016 election .
Media Matters noted this week that the Next News Network video has “ racked up millions of views ” in spite of YouTube ’ s pledge to crack down on misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Last October , in a story titled “ YouTube Doesn ’ t Just Welcome ‘ Conspiracy Theorists ’ —It Gives Them Awards , ” Forbes associate editor Thomas Brewster noted that YouTube had given Franchi a gold “ creator Award ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put out a press release celebrating that Next News Network had surpassed 1 billion views and was approaching 1.3 million subscribers .

While some right-wing activists have called on President Donald Trump to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, one far-right conspiracy theory site is telling millions of viewers that being fired is “the nicest thing that could be done to Fauci” and is calling him a traitorous criminal who is “directly responsible” for the development of the coronavirus.
Fauci heads the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and has sometimes angered Trump supporters by correcting misinformation dispensed by the president. On April 12, Trump retweeted a call by failed congressional candidate and conspiracy theorist DeAnna Lorraine to “#FireFauci.”
Conspiracy site Next News Network went a step further on April 16, publishing a long interview with Dr. Rashid Buttar who, as Media Matters noted in its report on the video, “proceeded to push multiple falsehoods and conspiracy theories,” including the claim that not a single death had actually been demonstrated to be caused by the COVID-19 virus. Buttar claimed that social distancing guidelines defy “every logical aspect of science and medicine.”
Buttar accused Fauci of violating a government moratorium on a type of “chimeric” research and directing funding toward research that Buttar claims led to the creation of the COVID-19 virus in a North Carolina lab. Host Gary Franchi said that research was then outsourced to China.
Here’s part of the exchange about Fauci between host Gary Franchi and Buttar, who has been described by Huffington Post as “a widely discredited osteopath”:
Franchi:
Is Fauci directly responsible for this pandemic? Because he maneuvered the money, he maneuvered around the moratorium, kept this chimeric research going in China? Is he directly responsible for not just the pandemic, but also the response that’s killed the economy, put what, 17 to 22 million people out of work? Is Fauci directly responsible?
Buttar:
I’m gonna say this, I think I’ve seen some petitions going around. I know Dr. Shiva said that Fauci should be fired. I think that’s the nicest thing that could be done to Fauci … He’s a criminal. He’s broken the law. He’s going against the government. I mean, to me, that seems like it’s a traitorous thing to do when you—the government has passed a regulation, and he’s at one of the highest levels in the NIH. He’s got a directorship at the NIH. And then he breaks the law. He breaks the moratorium and then funds research against something that could potentially cause harm throughout the entire world. And he’s in collusion with a foreign government to do—I mean, I don’t know. That’s a matter for attorneys to decide. Buttar then talked about the early days of the HIV crisis, when he claimed Fauci was “pushing the agenda of a drug prophylactically to treat people for a condition that has now been seen to be related to lifestyle, nutritional status, all sorts of other things.” Returning to the nation’s current coronavirus crisis, he charged that there is a “conflict of interest” involved in Fauci pushing for an unproven vaccine while arguing against treating patients with drugs promoted by Trump that have not yet been shown to be safe or effective.
Buttar added:
People need to wake up and realize there is a massive criminal component to this. This entire world economy, the whole world economy shutting down, it comes back to one person, in my opinion, and that’s Fauci. Now, there’s other people that are involved with the charade, obviously, but Fauci is the person that they’ve put up in the front, and Fauci is the one who had the ability to stop this.
In 2018, The Guardian identified the Next News Network as “a dubious operation that recycles stories harvested from far-right publications, fake news sites and Russian media outlets.” It reported that Franchi was “once a leading proponent of a conspiracy that claimed the US government was creating concentration camps for its citizens” and noted that YouTube’s algorithms “consistently amplified” the network’s anti-Clinton videos in the run-up to the 2016 election.
Media Matters noted this week that the Next News Network video has “racked up millions of views” in spite of YouTube’s pledge to crack down on misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last October, in a story titled “YouTube Doesn’t Just Welcome ‘Conspiracy Theorists’—It Gives Them Awards,” Forbes associate editor Thomas Brewster noted that YouTube had given Franchi a gold “creator Award” in May. In December, Franchi put out a press release celebrating that Next News Network had surpassed 1 billion views and was approaching 1.3 million subscribers.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-22--Alex McFarland: ‘Satan Hates the Constitution’

Right-wing Christian apologist Alex McFarland appeared on the Truth & Liberty Coalition ’ s weekly livestream program Monday , where he declared that progressive political activists hate the Constitution because they are pawns of Satan .
“ The hate for the Constitution is a spiritual issue , ” McFarland said .
“ Satan hates America .
Why ?
Because over the last 242 years , the greatest engine for not only creating personal freedom and prosperity , empowering people , the creation of wealth , but the greatest contributor to world missions—the Great Commission—has been the United States of America.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people are Satan ’ s pawns , and they don ’ t even know it—some of these secularists , some of the immoral entertainment figures , some of these politicians , they don ’ t even know that they are a pawn in the hand of Satan , ” he continued .
“ But Satan hates the Constitution , his operatives by extension do .
Why ?
Because the Constitution , for the first time in world history , said your rights come from an eternal God , and you have worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution because the Constitution liberates , empowers , and defends the ones made in God ’ s image.
” Co-host Andrew Wommack them chimed in to declare that “ what we ’ re calling progressivism and political correctness is what the Apostle John called a spirit of anti-Christ.
” “ They aren ’ t anti-Muslim , they ’ re anti-Christ , ” Wommack said .
“ It is the devil that is fighting against Christianity because it has thwarted his plans throughout history , and before he can bring his stuff to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church he ’ s fighting .
”

Right-wing Christian apologist Alex McFarland appeared on the Truth & Liberty Coalition’s weekly livestream program Monday, where he declared that progressive political activists hate the Constitution because they are pawns of Satan.
“The hate for the Constitution is a spiritual issue,” McFarland said. “Satan hates America. Why? Because over the last 242 years, the greatest engine for not only creating personal freedom and prosperity, empowering people, the creation of wealth, but the greatest contributor to world missions—the Great Commission—has been the United States of America.”
“The devil and his operatives—and many people are Satan’s pawns, and they don’t even know it—some of these secularists, some of the immoral entertainment figures, some of these politicians, they don’t even know that they are a pawn in the hand of Satan,” he continued. “But Satan hates the Constitution, his operatives by extension do. Why? Because the Constitution, for the first time in world history, said your rights come from an eternal God, and you have worth as a human … People hate the Constitution because the Constitution liberates, empowers, and defends the ones made in God’s image.”
Co-host Andrew Wommack them chimed in to declare that “what we’re calling progressivism and political correctness is what the Apostle John called a spirit of anti-Christ.”
“They aren’t anti-Muslim, they’re anti-Christ,” Wommack said. “It is the devil that is fighting against Christianity because it has thwarted his plans throughout history, and before he can bring his stuff to pass, he has to do something to the church he’s fighting.”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-23--Right Wing Round-Up: The Best People

Right Wing Round-Up: The Best People


rightwingwatch--2020-04-23--Right Wing Bonus Tracks: In Trump We Trust


rightwingwatch--2020-04-23--Heritage Foundation’s ‘National Coronavirus Recovery Commission’ Pushes Right-Wing Policy Agenda, Do

Heritage Foundation’s ‘National Coronavirus Recovery Commission’ Pushes Right-Wing Policy Agenda, Downplays Heritage Connection

Just two weeks after announcing the creation of a “ National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , ” the Heritage Foundation released its initial set of recommendations , which , unsurprisingly , pushes policy actions that would advance the right-wing think tank ’ s policy agenda , including further deregulation of business and privatization of education funding .
The commission ’ s April 20 report , which proposes steps to be taken over the next 30 days , warns that the economic costs of the widespread shutdowns could reach a “ tipping ” point in June , plunging the country into “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right Wing Watch noted when the commission was announced , “ Heritage has a long history of preparing right-wing policy road maps beginning with the ‘ Mandate for Leadership ’ that President Reagan used as his anti-tax , anti-regulation , anti-government guide to begin rolling back decades of policies grounded in the New Deal and its progressive successors.
” It ’ s not as if anti-regulatory activists within the Trump administration need to be told to take advantage of the crisis ; the Washington Post reported Tuesday that administration officials are “ planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming days to repeal or suspend federal regulations affecting businesses.
” But the Heritage commission ’ s “ proposals ” could be used to help justify such actions .
Included in the commission ’ s recommendations to governors for jump-starting the economy are “ reducing or removing restrictive labor policies , such as increased minimum wages.
” The commission recommends that states do away with teacher certification requirements and occupational licensing requirements .
The commission encourages the federal government to order that agencies consider making permanent all the regulations that have been waived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the federal government to review “ all regulations that inhibit economic growth and extend the two-for-one and centralized review requirements to the independent regulatory commissions and agencies.
” ( Two-for-one refers to Trump ’ s executive order that for every new regulation implemented , two must be revoked . )
And the commission says , “ Congress should provide the President , the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs , and Cabinet department Secretaries the ability to suspend costly regulations without extensive process.
” The recommendations also call on Congress to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reopen so they won ’ t be legally liable if they spread the virus as long as they have followed CDC guidance in good faith .
The commission also recommends that states make “ existing education funding student-centered and portable ” —wonk-speak for a kind of universal voucher system long dreamed of by opponents of public education and proponents of diverting public education funds to support private schools and homeschooling .
The commission encourages state and local governments to “ observe the Supreme Court ’ s 2017 Trinity Lutheran decision , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious groups that are otherwise eligible from competing for government benefits because of their religious status.
” The response to the pandemic has already broken new ground in weakening church-state separation , something religious-right groups are certain to try to expand , the way they are seeking to expand the Trinity Lutheran decision to require that more government funds flow to religious institutions .
The commission ’ s proposals come amid right-wing-generated protests aimed at easing social distancing restrictions and shifting accountability from the president to governors .
“ The longer policymakers take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , the more severe and long-lasting the adverse economic and social effects will be , ” the commission ’ s report reads .
The painful consequences of shutting down so much economic activity are unquestionably real , and governments at all levels are wrestling with how to move forward responsibly .
The Heritage commission makes some common-sense recommendations , like calling for active partnership between governments at all levels , businesses , and civil society .
It promotes expanded testing and contact tracing , public health measures that state and local officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell them about .
Among the least necessary recommendations is the one encouraging the president to “ continue regular briefings , ” which have given Trump a daily platform for disseminating self-serving narratives and misinformation and demeaning reporters .
The commission says it will be a challenge to convince Americans that it is safe to return to more normal social and economic activity given that new cases will continue to be reported .
“ People will need to be reassured that it is safe to work and patronize local businesses , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should include reinforcing Americans ’ mutual responsibility and accountability to others through appropriate , targeted ‘ social distancing ’ and other hygienic and nonpharmacologic interventions ( NPI ) .
” The commission also recommends “ greater emphasis on bipartisanship to restore trust ” in “ American democracy and institutions.
” That ’ s not a bad thing , but it should be noted that the Heritage Foundation is not exactly known for promoting bipartisanship or trust in democratic institutions .
One wonders if someone at the White House will call to Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendation , which for some reason is directed not at public officials but at the private sector and civil society : “ Our leaders must work to rebuild this trust by resisting the temptation to ‘ score political points ’ and by seeking bipartisan implementation of bipartisan solutions.
” Heritage seems to be going to great lengths to give people who visit the commission ’ s website or read its report the impression that the “ national ” commission is some kind of official government body rather than simply a vehicle for promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocates who pack the commission ’ s membership .
The commission ’ s website , featuring a stars-and-stripes logo , gives no indication that it is a project of the Heritage Foundation .
In fact , the commission ’ s “ about ” page doesn ’ t mention Heritage at all , except for identifying its chairman as Kay Coles James , the think tank ’ s president , and commission member Edwin Fuelner as Heritage ’ s founder and former chairman .
The commission ’ s staff—Paul Winfree and Charmaine Yoest as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed on the website and in the PDF of the commission ’ s recommendations without acknowledgment of their Heritage positions : Yoest is vice president of the foundation ’ s Institute for Family , Community , and Opportunity ; Paul Winfree is director of its Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies ; and Bluey is vice president for communications and executive editor for Heritage ’ s “ news ” operation The Daily Signal .

Just two weeks after announcing the creation of a “National Coronavirus Recovery Commission,” the Heritage Foundation released its initial set of recommendations, which, unsurprisingly, pushes policy actions that would advance the right-wing think tank’s policy agenda, including further deregulation of business and privatization of education funding.
The commission’s April 20 report, which proposes steps to be taken over the next 30 days, warns that the economic costs of the widespread shutdowns could reach a “tipping” point in June, plunging the country into “economic catastrophe” and depression.
As Right Wing Watch noted when the commission was announced, “Heritage has a long history of preparing right-wing policy road maps beginning with the ‘Mandate for Leadership’ that President Reagan used as his anti-tax, anti-regulation, anti-government guide to begin rolling back decades of policies grounded in the New Deal and its progressive successors.”
It’s not as if anti-regulatory activists within the Trump administration need to be told to take advantage of the crisis; the Washington Post reported Tuesday that administration officials are “planning to launch a sweeping effort in the coming days to repeal or suspend federal regulations affecting businesses.” But the Heritage commission’s “proposals” could be used to help justify such actions.
Included in the commission’s recommendations to governors for jump-starting the economy are “reducing or removing restrictive labor policies, such as increased minimum wages.” The commission recommends that states do away with teacher certification requirements and occupational licensing requirements.
The commission encourages the federal government to order that agencies consider making permanent all the regulations that have been waived in response to the pandemic and calls for the federal government to review “all regulations that inhibit economic growth and extend the two-for-one and centralized review requirements to the independent regulatory commissions and agencies.” (Two-for-one refers to Trump’s executive order that for every new regulation implemented, two must be revoked.) And the commission says, “Congress should provide the President, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and Cabinet department Secretaries the ability to suspend costly regulations without extensive process.”
The recommendations also call on Congress to create a “safe harbor” for businesses that reopen so they won’t be legally liable if they spread the virus as long as they have followed CDC guidance in good faith.
The commission also recommends that states make “existing education funding student-centered and portable”—wonk-speak for a kind of universal voucher system long dreamed of by opponents of public education and proponents of diverting public education funds to support private schools and homeschooling.
The commission encourages state and local governments to “observe the Supreme Court’s 2017 Trinity Lutheran decision, which held that government authorities may not exclude religious groups that are otherwise eligible from competing for government benefits because of their religious status.” The response to the pandemic has already broken new ground in weakening church-state separation, something religious-right groups are certain to try to expand, the way they are seeking to expand the Trinity Lutheran decision to require that more government funds flow to religious institutions.
The commission’s proposals come amid right-wing-generated protests aimed at easing social distancing restrictions and shifting accountability from the president to governors. “The longer policymakers take to begin stated reopening based on local conditions, the more severe and long-lasting the adverse economic and social effects will be,” the commission’s report reads.
The painful consequences of shutting down so much economic activity are unquestionably real, and governments at all levels are wrestling with how to move forward responsibly. The Heritage commission makes some common-sense recommendations, like calling for active partnership between governments at all levels, businesses, and civil society. It promotes expanded testing and contact tracing, public health measures that state and local officials probably don’t need Heritage to tell them about.
Among the least necessary recommendations is the one encouraging the president to “continue regular briefings,” which have given Trump a daily platform for disseminating self-serving narratives and misinformation and demeaning reporters. The commission says it will be a challenge to convince Americans that it is safe to return to more normal social and economic activity given that new cases will continue to be reported. “People will need to be reassured that it is safe to work and patronize local businesses,” the commission recommends. “Robust public education should include reinforcing Americans’ mutual responsibility and accountability to others through appropriate, targeted ‘social distancing’ and other hygienic and nonpharmacologic interventions (NPI).”
The commission also recommends “greater emphasis on bipartisanship to restore trust” in “American democracy and institutions.” That’s not a bad thing, but it should be noted that the Heritage Foundation is not exactly known for promoting bipartisanship or trust in democratic institutions. One wonders if someone at the White House will call to Trump’s attention the commission’s final recommendation, which for some reason is directed not at public officials but at the private sector and civil society: “Our leaders must work to rebuild this trust by resisting the temptation to ‘score political points’ and by seeking bipartisan implementation of bipartisan solutions.”
Heritage seems to be going to great lengths to give people who visit the commission’s website or read its report the impression that the “national” commission is some kind of official government body rather than simply a vehicle for promoting the views of the conservative scholars and advocates who pack the commission’s membership. The commission’s website, featuring a stars-and-stripes logo, gives no indication that it is a project of the Heritage Foundation.
In fact, the commission’s “about” page doesn’t mention Heritage at all, except for identifying its chairman as Kay Coles James, the think tank’s president, and commission member Edwin Fuelner as Heritage’s founder and former chairman. The commission’s staff—Paul Winfree and Charmaine Yoest as co-executive directors and Rob Bluey as spokesman—are listed on the website and in the PDF of the commission’s recommendations without acknowledgment of their Heritage positions: Yoest is vice president of the foundation’s Institute for Family, Community, and Opportunity; Paul Winfree is director of its Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies; and Bluey is vice president for communications and executive editor for Heritage’s “news” operation The Daily Signal.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-23--Nick Fuentes Tries TikTok as New Outlet to Spread White Nationalist Content, Immediately Gets Banned

Online influencers of the white nationalist youth movement recently announced their intentions to expand their messaging to TikTok , a video-sharing app popular with young Americans , in hope of reaching new audiences .
Their efforts almost immediately imploded .
The effort appeared to be headed by anti-Semitic and white nationalist podcaster Nicholas Fuentes following Fuentes ’ ban from YouTube in February for violating the site ’ s policies against hate speech .
In a concerted effort to reach new viewers , white nationalists and their self-dubbed “ groyper ” fanbase , who promote what they call an “ America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts alongside Fuentes in hopes of establishing space for their movement in TikTok ’ s youth conservative commentary space .
Reporter Zachary Petrizzo detailed Fuentes and others ’ efforts at The Daily Dot on Thursday , and after the publication of Petrizzo ’ s reporting , TikTok banned Fuentes and several other accounts affiliated with the white nationalist movement .
TikTok provided The Daily Dot with the following statement : We are committed to promoting a safe and positive app environment for our users .
Our Community Guidelines outline behavior that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take action against behavior that violates those policies , including by removing content or accounts .
TikTok also appears to have banned accounts used by former Infowars employee Jacob Lloyd and far-right student organizer Jaden McNeil , both of whom have openly flaunted their ties to the white nationalist youth movement .
However , several accounts listed by Fuentes on Telegram as being affiliated with the “ America First ” white nationalist movement remain active on TikTok at the time of publication , including : • Users with the handles @ jdthedude22 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wing Watch has emailed TikTok for comment and will update this article if we receive a response .

Online influencers of the white nationalist youth movement recently announced their intentions to expand their messaging to TikTok, a video-sharing app popular with young Americans, in hope of reaching new audiences. Their efforts almost immediately imploded.
The effort appeared to be headed by anti-Semitic and white nationalist podcaster Nicholas Fuentes following Fuentes’ ban from YouTube in February for violating the site’s policies against hate speech. In a concerted effort to reach new viewers, white nationalists and their self-dubbed “groyper” fanbase, who promote what they call an “America First” agenda, created TikTok accounts alongside Fuentes in hopes of establishing space for their movement in TikTok’s youth conservative commentary space.
Reporter Zachary Petrizzo detailed Fuentes and others’ efforts at The Daily Dot on Thursday, and after the publication of Petrizzo’s reporting, TikTok banned Fuentes and several other accounts affiliated with the white nationalist movement. TikTok provided The Daily Dot with the following statement:
We are committed to promoting a safe and positive app environment for our users. Our Community Guidelines outline behavior that is not acceptable on the platform, and we take action against behavior that violates those policies, including by removing content or accounts.
TikTok also appears to have banned accounts used by former Infowars employee Jacob Lloyd and far-right student organizer Jaden McNeil, both of whom have openly flaunted their ties to the white nationalist youth movement.
However, several accounts listed by Fuentes on Telegram as being affiliated with the “America First” white nationalist movement remain active on TikTok at the time of publication, including:
Right Wing Watch has emailed TikTok for comment and will update this article if we receive a response.