Extreme rhetoric online frequently serves as a precursor to real-world actions, although the transition may not occur immediately.
Following the jury’s decision to convict Donald Trump on 34 felony charges yesterday, Bronze Age Pervert, the online persona of influencer Costin Alamariu, retweeted one of his previous posts from March. The post featured a movie clip depicting armed individuals storming buildings and engaging in violence. In the accompanying text, Bronze Age Pervert joked about this clip being real footage of a “well-planned neutralization operation” following Trump’s reelection.
The online rhetoric among some MAGA supporters has once again turned to threats of violence. While many Republicans expressed outrage at Trump’s felony verdict, others within the right-wing online community used more extreme language. Some Proud Boys chapters posted the word “war” on their Telegram channels, as reported by Wired. Reuters also found instances of Trump supporters advocating violence against jurors and the judge in the case, as well as calls for civil unrest and insurrection. Additionally, an anonymous right-wing account gained traction by posting “Third World Problems Require Third World Solutions” overlaid on a video of the 2020 military coup in Myanmar.
The incitement of violence and aggressive political retribution has historically been associated with the extreme fringes of the right-wing spectrum. However, recent trends show that this rhetoric is now emerging from prominent figures within the movement.
Jared Holt, an extremism researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, noted that some of the most intense rhetoric is now coming from influential voices within the right-wing community. For example, Auron MacIntyre, a podcast host for Blaze Media, called for Republican district attorneys to manipulate the courts and swiftly incarcerate “corrupt Democrats.” Similarly, Sean Davis, CEO of The Federalist, advocated for the right to “terrorize the Left” using their own methods until it is dismantled.
Despite the alarming rhetoric, immediate violent actions may not occur. However, the potential for real-world violence inspired by online posts always exists, as seen in past incidents such as the 2016 “Pizzagate” shooting and the 2022 Buffalo shooting. Mass mobilizations typically require careful planning and groundwork. The events leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot unfolded over months, with increasingly heated rhetoric and violent memes circulating within MAGA circles.
The anti-lockdown protests at state houses played a significant role in laying the groundwork for subsequent right-wing mobilisations. These protests provided a platform for like-minded individuals to connect and express their grievances, setting the stage for larger-scale actions. Additionally, two MAGA protests in Washington, D.C., prior to January 6 demonstrated the feasibility of organising large gatherings in the capital, further expanding the realm of possibilities for right-wing activists.
