Trump team recruits influencers to push lies about ‘lawless’ cities
The Trump administration has used right-wing influencers to convince the public of the need to send National Guard troops to Democratic-run cities.
According to Oregon Public Broadcastingfigures like conservative podcaster Benny Johnson have access to top officials like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In return, Johnson presented his audience with a false image of need for armed federal troops in cities like Portland.
Johnson is the best known outside conservative circles for repeated plagiarism at Buzzfeed and National Review, leading to his dismissal from both outlets. Johnson has since been a regular source of right-wing misinformation and lies, consistent with the Trump administration’s tactics.
In one case, Johnson and other influencers were allowed to travel with Noem to an ICE facility — an experience that Johnson highlighted by telling his audience that “it was going to be a hectic day.”
But Oregon Public Media reported that the day was “less than turbulent” and that only “a handful of protesters” were present alongside various journalists.
Influencer Nick Sortor also joined the propaganda campaign, telling Noem that when the “sun goes down,” Portland “goes totally lawless.” This is the argument – based on lies – that the Trump administration and other right-wing media points of sale like Fox News attempted to use to justify these unconstitutional military operations.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has not granted the same level of access to legitimate state media outlets, like The Oregonian and Oregon Public Media, likely because they would report the truth rather than spoon-fed lies.
President Donald Trump and his subordinates have desperately tried to portray Portland and other Democratic-run cities as war zones to justify these military takeovers. But this message has been seriously undermined by video proof demonstrators dressed as frogs, unicorns, peacocks and other animals.
As Trump and his right-wing influencers offer apocalyptic descriptions of blue cities gone haywire, what is really happening? are events like naked bike rides highlighting Trump’s cruelty towards Americans and immigrants.
Trump and his acolytes are losing the information battleand they respond by promoting easily debunked conspiracies about paid protesters and “antifa frogs.” Their attempt to fill the media with false information speaks to the fact that Republicans are on the losing side of the debate.
Meanwhile, prominent Democratic leaders like President Barack Obama and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, keep calling Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional behavior.
No wonder Trump hopes his propaganda machine will save him once again.
