Salon:”From the “fedsurrection” to “the new Wayfair,” right-wing media and GOP spent the year boosting blatant falsehoods.””,,
Fedsurrection:
Per Salon, 16 members of Congress have pushed, or at least “entertained,” a conspiracy theory suggesting that the January 6 insurrection was an “inside job” orchestrated by the FBI, according to an analysis by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Although the theory originally stemmed from right-wing reports, it has now permeated the mainstream of the congressional GOP.
House Republicans that have spread or entertained the conspiracy theory, include Reps. Clay Higgins, Troy Nehls, Thomas Massie, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Madison Cawthorn, Louie Gohmert and Jim Jordan and Sens. Ron Johnson, J.D. Vance, Tom Cotton, Mike Lee and Ted Cruz, according to CREW. Of the 16 who have amplified the false belief, two are no longer in office.
In addition:
- Etsy is dubbed “The new Wayfair” in the latest far-right conspiracy theory — Far-right figures are spreading a conspiracy theory claiming listings on Etsy selling downloads of pizza photos for thousands of dollars are merely a cover for promoting child pornography.
- How Fox News cited “fake” terrorist attack 97 times and used it to vilify Muslims — One of their more recent claims targeted Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians, and their supporters for being responsible for an act of terrorism that didn’t happen. Fox News personalities and guests made at least 97 claims alleging or speculating that a car accident at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara, New York, last month was an act of terrorism. The network broadcasted unfounded claims on screen for hours, suggesting that the car crash at the U.S.-Canada border was an act of terrorism based on the reporting of correspondent Alexis McAdams, who sourced her information from unnamed law enforcement officials.
- Schools evacuated (due to bomb threats after Libs of TikTok pushed right-wing “groomer” conspiracy theory—One of the more dangerous conspiracy theories that has had real-world ramifications this year includes the social media account “Libs of TikTok” targeting schools over anti-LGBTQ+ grooming conspiracies. Chaya Raichik, the individual behind the account, employed right-wing “groomer” propaganda to target 42 school districts and their staff members, accusing them of “indoctrinating” children into LGBTQ+ identities and exposing them to sexually explicit content.
- After Hunter Biden tax charges, right-wing media began circulating conflicting conspiracy theories — On Dec. 7, the younger Biden was indicted on three felony and six misdemeanor charges relating to tax crimes in California in unpaid taxes that he has already repaid. Conservative media responded to the indictment pushing the unfounded claim that the charges are both an effort to force his father off the 2024 ballot and a “cover-up” to protect one or both of them, according to MMFA’s report.