Welcome to extremely™, a weekly newsletter from the ADL Center on Extremism and your go-to resource for emerging trends and developments in extremism and hate.
In This Week's Newsletter
Weapons Stash, Moderation Fail and Hezbollah
COE Investigation Reveals Angry, Heavily Armed Man’s Links to Angry, Heavily Armed Militia Group
On December 17, the FBI arrested 36-year-old Brad Kenneth Spafford for allegedly possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle; in the subsequent investigation, the FBI reportedly discovered what it called the largest cache of explosive devices in the bureau’s history. The stockpile of weapons at Spafford’s Virginia farm included more than 150 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and a shooting range featuring a photo of President Biden. (The photo was used for target practice, not as the basis of a respectful parasocial relationship).
This gigantic pile of explosives wasn’t just for show; a Center on Extremism investigation found Spafford is a member of the Southampton County Constitutional Militia (SCM) in Ivor, Virginia, whose leadership includes Spafford's stepfather, Mickey Rosenfeld.
Why It Matters
Fueled by a post-2020 Second Amendment sanctuary movement and county government resolutions supporting militia groups, Virginia has become a hotbed for militia activity in recent years. If you’re thinking to yourself, “Huh, weird that a government body would move to protect fundamentally anti-government entities informed by conspiracy theories and linked to criminal activity and violence,” congratulations! You win this week’s “Irony Bowl.” Your prize is reading the rest of this newsletter.
Extremists Not Sure How to Feel About Meta’s New Extremism-Friendly Posture
On January 7, 2025, Meta announced plans to end their “third party fact-checking program” in favor of a model similar to X’s “Community Notes,” promising fewer restrictions on content outside serious platform violations or illegal activity.
Extremists are staring at Meta’s offering with the guarded joy of a toddler who is 76 percent sure you don’t really have his nose: In a Proud Boys Telegram channel, posters expressed doubt that Meta’s CEO would make the platforms more extremist-friendly. One popular anti-Zionist influencer wondered via X if Zuckerberg would end the “Zionist censorship complex” on the platforms. Meanwhile, white supremacists smelled blood in the water, suggesting on Telegram that “nationalists” should leverage these changes “to push for mass deportations and race-based immigration policies.” On X and Telegram, white supremacist, Unite the Right organizer and former Proud Boy Jason Kessler waxed nostalgic, writing, “Facebook used to be a major networking tool for us years ago.”
Why It Matters
When mainstream social media platforms – which typically have more reach than fringe counterparts – loosen their content moderation policies, extremists, conspiracy theorists and bigots are often emboldened to test the limits of these changes. Meta’s announcement, in other words, may pave the way for dramatically worse hate speech and harassment across its platforms.
Man Rents Cybertruck, Which Will Be Remembered as The Second Worst Decision of His Life
Terrible news abounded in the first days of 2025. On January 1, 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty Green Beret, exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring seven people. Livelsberger, who may have used ChatGPT to plan his attack, reportedly shot himself before the explosion.
Officials are still investigating Livelsberger’s potential motive, but have found his conspiratorial letters calling for veterans and militias to mobilize in D.C. to get Democrats “out of…government and military by any means necessary.” He touts a “hard reset” as the only thing that will stop America’s imminent collapse, rails against processed foods and diversity initiatives and urges people to support Donald Trump, Elon Musk and “Kennedy” (presumably RFK Jr.). As of January 7, investigators are vetting additional documents, including a six-page manifesto and an email about drones, government surveillance and America's involvement in Afghanistan.
Why It Matters
There’s no evidence at this point that Livelsberger was himself an extremist, but his calls to action, inflammatory rhetoric, disillusionment with the government and focus on societal collapse eerily echo beliefs often shared by conspiratorial and extremist actors – including those who have committed heinous acts of violence.
Sovereigns Pause Frivolous Lawsuits Long Enough to Boost Police-Extremist Shootouts Numbers in 2024
In 2024, ADL tracked 13 incidents in which shots were fired between police and extremists, marking the fourth highest total since COE began tracking these cases in 2009. As has been the case in all extremism measures in the ADL’s history, right-wing extremists dominated the tally. Eight of the 13 incidents involved anti-government extremists, seven of whom were sovereign citizens. Four involved white supremacists, three of whom were members of white supremacist prison gangs. And one attack was perpetrated by an Islamist extremist motivated by antisemitism. This year’s shootouts were particularly dangerous for the police officers: Two were killed and 11 were wounded.
Why It Matters
In most ways, the 2024 numbers follow the same pattern we’ve seen for 16 years (between 2009 and 2024 right-wing extremists were responsible for the vast majority of the 159 tracked incidents). But the latest stats are anomalous in one important way: The number of sovereign citizen-related shootouts in 2024 is remarkably high, well above the annual average of two and the previous annual high of three.
This is an unwelcome indicator that the sovereign citizen movement is very active – and growing. Sovereigns, known in part for their mind-numbingly wordy and inane “legal” arguments as well as their criminal activity, have grown their movement in recent years thanks to interest from anti-vaxxers, QAnon adherents and MAGA supporters. The movement has also spread extensively in jails and prisons around the country.
Come on, Man, Pick a Lane: U.S. Army Vet and Dual Irish-American Citizen Abandons Neo-Nazism and Attempts to Join Hezbollah
On January 2, a federal grand jury indicted Jack Molloy, a 24-year-old Army veteran and dual Irish-American citizen, on charges of attempting to join Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). COE analysts have identified an X account believed to belong to Molloy, which is replete with antisemitic, Islamist extremist, anti-Zionist and pro-Hezbollah comments. Federal agents also reportedly found numerous neo-Nazi and pro-Hezbollah images and videos on Molloy’s phone, including a meme depicting Pepe the Frog wearing a swastika, shooting a Jewish man in the head and a graphic of men in Hezbollah uniforms performing a Nazi-like salute. According to the criminal complaint, Molloy subscribed to a mixture of far-right antisemitic and extremist views since at least 2019, but shifted from neo-Nazism to an Islamist extremist ideology over the last few years.
Why It Matters
While Molloy’s journey to radicalization is under investigation, his case is a reminder that antisemitism informs a wide range of extremist spaces. The case also exposed how easy it is for FTOs to contact average civilians: Molloy was reportedly able to contact members of Hezbollah through mainstream social media platforms like X, Snapchat and WhatsApp.
More from COE
→ Glossary of Extremism: A comprehensive overview of the many individuals, events, groups and movements that populate the extremist landscape.
→ Hate on Display: The preeminent index of extremist and hate symbols, tattoos, flags and numerology.
→ H.E.A.T. Map: A first-of-its-kind, interactive tracker of hate, extremism, antisemitism and terrorism incidents across America.
→ Podcast: extremely: Co-hosted by COE’s Oren Segal and Jessica Reaves, the new extremely provides critical insights into the ever-evolving extremist landscape and showcases fresh perspectives from experts dedicated to understanding and combating extremism and hate.
Previous extremely Newsletters
Madison School Shooter Appears to Have Been Invited into Private Chat Created to “Watch” Turkish Neo-Nazi Stabbing Attack
As Madison, Wisconsin, reels from America’s 112th deadly school shooting of 2024, Center on Extremism researchers are combing through social media profiles that appear to belong to shooter Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide at the scene. Among our findings: The shooter appears to have been invited into and participated in a very sparsely populated Telegram chat in which Arda Küçükyetim, the Turkish neo-Nazi who stabbed five people outside a Turkish mosque on August 12, 2024, appeared to have posted his own racist “manifesto” just prior to his attack. A self-described “friend” of Küçükyetim shared a live link of the attack, and chat participants (including, we believe, the Madison shooter) commented on the “success” of the stabbing spree.
COE researchers have also reviewed a TikTok account (which we believe belonged to the shooter) that posted a range of very generic white supremacist and antisemitic memes (including Nazi images and racist “statistics”) with a bio including the phrase “Totally normal day” – wording often used by racist or white supremacist users as a code for "TND," or "total n***** death." According to reports, a post from an “X” account (again, believed to belong to the shooter) from the day of the attack includes a photo of a person giving the “okay” hand gesture, which is used in some extremist circles as a way to troll viewers.
Social media accounts believed to belong to the shooter included many posts expressing admiration for past school shooters and mass attackers, as well as an unusual interest in violence of all kinds.
Immediately after the shooting, a manifesto purportedly authored by Rupnow began circulating online. While police have acknowledged the existence of the document, they have not verified its authenticity or any connection to the shooter. The manifesto included expressions of reverence for mass shooters, including the perpetrator of the El Paso Walmart massacre, as well as the Turkish neo-Nazi.
Why It Matters
The convergence of glorified violence – including school shooters and mass killers – and extremist content is not uncommon in online spaces. As more information about this tragic attack emerges, we may gain a clearer understanding of the extent to which extremist ideology influenced the assailant.
Assad Ouster Reignites (Everyone Act Surprised) Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory
In the wake of the Assad regime’s sudden fall in Syria and the subsequent Israeli military strikes in the region, antisemites and anti-Zionists are resurrecting an old favorite: the “Greater Israel” conspiracy theory, which alleges that Israel is covertly taking over large swaths of the Middle East. Promoted for years by anti-Israel activists, antisemitic figures like Louis Farrakhan and anti-Zionist conspiracy theorists, the concept is finding new fans. On December 8, far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones posted on X that “greater Israel is expanding,” attracting more than four million views. Antisemitic influencer Stew Peters’ recent film Occupied argues that Israel created Hamas to justify the Greater Israel project.
Why It Matters
The Greater Israel conspiracy theory is not new, but a fresh crop of believers is promoting it in the post-October 7 landscape, capitalizing on the attack and Israel’s war with Hamas to advance a blatantly antisemitic narrative. Some anti-Zionist groups, meanwhile, are using Greater Israel rhetoric to advertise anti-Israel rallies.
The Season of “Yellowstone” Literally No One Asked For
In a series of recent posts, the Yellowstone Militia, a Billings, Montana, based Three Percenter militia group, announced the creation of new chapters in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Gillette, Wyoming. Tim Westervelt, commander of the Yellowstone Militia, claims the group now has more than 300 members in 20 chapters, an increase from the 16 chapters he cited in July. In October, members of the militia met with Custer County, Wyoming, commissioners to introduce their “mission” and position themselves as a volunteer “nonprofit organization” hoping to serve the community and help first responders
Why It Matters
This expansion, a first for the Yellowstone Militia, reveals the group’s strategy of adding territory by absorbing smaller militias – in this case, the Three Percenter Wyoming Guardians. Their (transparent) efforts to ingratiate themselves with local officials and law enforcement is pretty typical of militias: presenting their intent as totally benign, even benevolent, when in reality their ideology is deeply conspiratorial and linked to a long history of criminal activity and violence.
Drones! (Paging Agent Mulder)
Recent reports of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey and parts of New York have fueled panic and conspiracy theories. On December 11, Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) suggested on Fox News that the drones came from an Iranian “mothership.” The Pentagon immediately dismissed the accusations, but that didn’t stop Islamophobic far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer from fanning the flames, suggesting on X that these could be “assassin drones” from Iran or China targeting President-elect Trump at his New Jersey golf course. On Telegram, QAnon believers and Proud Boys fell over themselves claiming the government is hiding the “truth” from Americans.
Why It Matters
The hysteria around these sightings has fueled online bigotry and conspiratorial thinking – but responses go beyond the usual online rancor. In recent days, several pilots flying over New Jersey have reported lasers hitting their planes, putting the aircrafts in jeopardy. Law enforcement is currently investigating these incidents.
The Base is Shooting Blanks
On December 15, accelerationist neo-Nazi group The Base posted a video showing (heavily armed) members in a series of undisclosed locations using explosive devices, firing automatic rifles and burning books – as well as a U.S. flag. Another recent photo showed hundreds of blank AR-15 rounds and included a heartfelt thank you to supporters, strongly implying the ammunition was purchased via crowdfunding.
Why It Matters
The (apparently) successful solicitation of donations and the new training video highlight a recent uptick in activity for The Base, which has a history of engaging in violent plots. The group’s resurgence would pose a significant risk to vulnerable communities across the country.
Proud Boys Getting Lots of Exercise Jumping to Conclusions
In a December 9 interview with NBC, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to begin pardoning January 6 Capitol rioters on his first day in office. This announcement was celebrated by the Proud Boys, the extremist group with the highest number of arrestees stemming from the insurrection, with at least 57 members and affiliates of chapters arrested across the country. One post in a chat dedicated to a Proud Boys rapper (we also have questions) read, “OUR FAMILY IS COMING HOME PRAISE GOD THANK YOU TRUMP!!!!”
Why It Matters
At this time, it remains unclear who President-elect Trump will pardon, as he has said there “may be some exceptions.” Prominent Proud Boys leaders – including Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zachery Rehl – are clearly hoping for some help in wriggling out of their sentences, which are some of the most significant stemming from the January 6 attacks. Biggs’ attorney has already requested a “complete pardon” from Trump.
Nick Fuentes Enters the “Find Out” Phase
On November 27, white supremacist Nick Fuentes was charged with misdemeanor battery for reportedly assaulting 57-year-old Marla Rose. When Rose rang the doorbell at Fuentes’ Chicago-area home, Fuentes allegedly smashed Rose’s phone, pepper sprayed her and pushed her down his steps. He is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on December 19. In the meantime, Fuentes, who is clearly very good at learning important life lessons, “joked” that if he spends time in jail, he’ll write another “Mein Kampf.”
Why It Matters
Since the 2024 election, Fuentes has really leaned into his misogyny. His followers, known as the Groypers, are defending Fuentes’ actions as self-defense. Like countless extremists before him, Fuentes is making hay from his arrest, peddling merch emblazoned with his mugshot.
This Antisemitism Goes to 11
On December 9, an unknown person or persons vandalized the home of Jewish University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker. The perpetrator(s) threw two mason jars filled with urine through a window of Acker’s home and spray-painted anti-Israel messages on his wife’s car, including a red triangle, a symbol Hamas uses to mark targets.
Why It Matters
This escalation illustrates the changing threat environment facing school officials in the post-October 7 era. Acker has been targeted twice previously; in April a masked stranger wearing a red kaffiyeh approached Acker’s front door at 4:40am, placed a list of demands for the University of Michigan leadership on his door, took photographs and left. In June, vandals spray painted anti-Israel graffiti on the front of the law firm where he works.
Interview with the Terrorist
On December 4, U.S.-based anti-Israel publication the Palestine Chronicle made the very questionable journalistic decision to interview Leila Khaled, a convicted terrorist, hijacker and member of the U.S.-designated terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Khaled used the interview to celebrate the October 7 attacks, draw parallels between the Nazis and the current Israeli government and reject a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
Why It Matters
Khaled, who has been jailed for acts of terrorism, including hijacking two civilian airliners, is also known for her continued leadership in PFLP. She has been honored by major anti-Israel groups and occasionally receives invitations to speak on college campuses. In recent years, she has been celebrated at anti-Israel demonstrations, including on International Women’s Day.
Accelerationists Continue to Be Almost Unspeakably Terrible
Accelerationism, a violent ideology adopted by some segments of the white supremacist movement that promotes violent attacks and sabotage of infrastructure – with the goal of capitalizing on the ensuing chaos, is on something of a roll: Adherents were recently arrested for plotting to destroy power grids in Nashville and Baltimore, and in September, law enforcement arrested the alleged leaders of the Terrorgram Collective, a circle of accelerationist propagandists who have inspired at least two terror attacks and one plot to destroy an energy facility.
Why It Matters
Accelerationism has been linked to mass killings around the world, including attacks at the Jacksonville Dollar General Store and outside an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava. Movement propaganda – including online – has been instrumental in radicalizing extremist attackers, and is a key ideological component of many truly awful white supremacist groups, including such as Atomwaffen Division (later split into the National Socialist Order and National Socialist Resistance Front), The Base, Sonnenkrieg Division, Feuerkrieg Division, and most recently, Injekt Division.
GDL Leader Falls Prey to Lure of Instagram “Farm Life” Craze
Is Goyim Defense League (GDL) founder Jon Minadeo all about that trad wife life? After leaving Florida, Minadeo launched a GiveSendGo campaign for a “fashy” farm in the Ozarks, to “house IRL [in real life] activists” and host “pro-European events” like white supremacist weddings, birthdays and holiday gatherings.
Why It Matters
Minadeo is not the only white supremacist who seems to think he’s cut out for 3am farm chores; his crowdfunding campaign follows similar efforts by other white supremacist groups – including Irminfolk, Raven Folk United, Blood Tribe and the Aryan Freedom Network (AFN) – to raise funds for farmsteads or compounds. These projects have gone nowhere fast due to lack of funding or, in at least one case, intense backlash from local communities.
Richard Mack, Stew Peters Excited to Make America Hateful Again
On November 27, Richard Mack, the founder of the extremist Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), which believes sheriffs are the last line of defense against federal “overreach,” appeared on an episode of antisemite Stew Peters' eponymous show. This gave the men an opportunity to discuss their shared grievances about immigrants, celebrate plans for mass deportations and suggest arresting and prosecuting top U.S. officials, including DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Why It Matters
Mack's words echo reported plans to give county sheriffs authority to assist in mass deportations, and his focus on prosecuting Mayorkas is particularly concerning, given that prominent political figures are talking about weaponizing the legal system against perceived political enemies.
Active Clubs: Sadly, Not a Fun New Fitness Craze
As of November 25, the ADL Center on Extremism was tracking more than 50 Active Clubs in at least 35 states. Active Clubs, localized white supremacist crews inspired by Robert Rundo of the Rise Above Movement, are big on “real world” happenings, and were responsible for at least 21 white supremacist events in the first nine months of 2024. They also kept America’s shredders in business, distributing white supremacist propaganda 151 times in that same period.
Why It Matters
Active Clubs are a prime example of current white supremacist goals: uniting people from across the movement, whose principles and methods can be (surprisingly) divergent. In 2024, more than 62% of Active Club-affiliated events were collaborations with another white supremacist group – most frequently Patriot Front.
Zero Points for Originality: Influencers Blame Israel, CIA for Syrian Rebel Gains
On November 29, rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) carried out attacks in Syria, seizing the city of Aleppo. Conspiracy theorists responded with baseless narratives about the attacks, suggesting they were secretly coordinated by Israel, Zionists or the CIA.
Anti-Zionist and pro-Assad/pro-Putin influencers, including Jackson Hinkle, took to X and Telegram to claim that Israel worked with the Biden administration to help HTS carry out the attacks, which some couched as an assault on Christianity.
Why It Matters
This is a tired playbook: Major global event occurs; certain corners of the internet immediately blame Zionists, Israel and the Biden administration; hate ensues. It’s also a semi-clever marketing ploy: By sowing doubt in the “official” or “mainstream media” narrative, these influencers ensure that their followers consider them to be the sole source of “truth.”
Someone Forgot the First Rule of Fight Club: White Supremacists Host Jiu Jitsu Tournament
Patria Gloria, a Jiu Jitsu group affiliated with the white supremacist Patriot Front, christened their new martial arts dojo with a November tournament on private land in eastern Tennessee. The three-day “Winter Nights” tournament, which included several white supremacist attendees, featured bare-knuckle boxing and stylized fighting.
Why It Matters
White supremacists seem to spend a lot of time punching people (and getting punched themselves), so their increasing involvement in combat sports feels like a no-brainer. Not coincidentally, it’s also a great way to appeal to younger men (read: potential recruits), legions of whom are also embracing mixed martial arts (MMA).
Steaming Hot Plate of CopyPasta
Among the millions of examples of extremist and hateful content uncovered and analyzed in our recent report on Steam, the world’s largest gaming platform, were 1.18 million hateful "copypastas" – blocks of text used to generate images or messages. For example, swastikas crafted out of emoji. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Why It Matters
Not only are copypastas a popular method for sharing extremist or hateful content on gaming platforms like Steam, even more troubling, slight modifications—such as adding spaces or altering character placement—make it harder for moderators to detect and remove this content, turning it into a deliberate evasion tactic.
College Students Take “Touch Grass” Too Far... Again.
On November 21, anti-Israel activists at Sarah Lawrence College established an encampment on the south lawn after taking over a campus building. This protest was in response to the college’s refusal to implement divestment recommendations from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The National SJP subsequently named the action the “Take a Building Challenge.” A student group shared a photo from the encampment featuring a flag with the Samidoun emblem. In October, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Samidoun for serving as a fundraising arm for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Propaganda supporting Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader behind the October 7 attacks, were also distributed on campus.
Why It Matters
Although disruptive activities like encampments on campus have decreased since spring, the ongoing blatant glorification and support for terrorist organizations remain deeply concerning.
Home Is Where the Hate Is
Self-described Christian Nationalist pastors Andrew Isker and C. Jay Engel are urging followers to move with them to rural Jackson County, Tennessee, to build a community for “Christians and patriots” and establish “Christian nationalism in one state.” Isker claimed his own state, Minnesota, was a prime destination “for resettling foreign people hostile to our way of life.” Isker has also claimed that “love of own people” is now considered “xenophobia,” while Engel has simply declared that “there is indeed a war on Whites.” The pair are allegedly working with a development company that has purchased 600 acres of local land.
Why It Matters
There’s a long history of groups and movements trying to start intentional communities in different places across the U.S., including fringe religious sects, white supremacists, anti-government extremists, survivalists and others. Most fail, primarily because organizers typically have difficulty convincing people to uproot themselves and their families to start over again with uncertain prospects, just to be among like-minded people.
Peters Remains “Occupied” With Jews
Stew Peters, a known antisemitic conspiracy theorist, released a film titled “Occupied,” promoting the conspiracy that Jews and Israel control the U.S. government. The film centers on the Israel-Hamas conflict, falsely claiming that the October 7 massacre was a “false flag” attack and that it is being used to “take control” of neighboring countries to create “Greater Israel.” And as if that was not enough, it also includes Holocaust denial and praise for Hitler.
Why It Matters
“Occupied” is another entry in the genre of conspiratorial, antisemitic films that capitalize off tragedies and other notable events. Peters apparently intends to release a “clean” version for a more mainstream audience. That would be a short film.
Florida Man Relocates Hate to The Ozarks
After months of promising—or, depending on your perspective, threatening – to move to the Ozarks during his almost nightly livestreams, Jon Minadeo, founder of the antisemitic Goyim Defense League, has officially bid Florida farewell with a “final show.” He’s presumably settling into his new digs, where he plans to collaborate with neo-Nazi Billy Roper, leader of the Shield Wall Network and cheerleader for the so-called white ethno-state of Ozarkia.
Why It Matters
Minadeo moved to Florida in late 2022, contributing to a rise in antisemitism in the Sunshine State. However, activity declined significantly after Florida lawmakers enacted local ordinances targeting GDL tactics (like laser projections on buildings) and passed a statewide bill criminalizing the distribution of hate propaganda on private property.
1. Bluesky Finally Enjoys Day in the Sun, Immediately Gets Heatstroke
Social media platform Bluesky has seen a surge in new users in recent weeks, thanks in part to controversial changes to X’s terms of service. Despite how this has gone in the past on a slew of other platforms, people are hopeful that Bluesky will do something to effectively address misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. Bad actors jumped to test that optimism: Anti-Zionist users have created and promoted lists of “Zionist” users, including disparaging (and super creative) descriptions like “Zionist scum” and “Zionist watch.”
Why it Matters
Bluesky had a few days of peace and high traffic, but its newfound popularity almost certainly presages an absolute deluge of users whose content crosses multiple red lines. As those users increase, so will the headaches that already plague Bluesky’s moderation teams.
2. Neo-Nazi “Hate Club” Makes Personal Beef Everyone’s Problem
On November 16, approximately 12 people associated with the neo-Nazi "Hate Club" marched through Columbus, Ohio, wearing black clothes and red face masks, carrying firearms and waving swastika flags. This was the group’s first official event since its creation last month. White supremacist events continue to impact communities nationwide; we’ve tracked 136 events through June of 2024, and recorded 282 events in 2023.
Why it Matters
If the guns and swastikas didn’t tip you off, Hate Club falls into the “hardcore” category of white supremacist groups, alongside Blood Tribe, National Socialist Movement and Goyim Defense League (GDL). Their public displays are designed to be aggressive and intimidating. Behind all that vitriol, however, lies some truly petty drama: Hate Club probably chose Columbus to provoke Blood Tribe Ohio, whose leader disavowed Hate Club founder Anthony Altick after he held an “unsanctioned” October Blood Tribe demonstration in St. Louis.
3. League of the South Announces Rebrand. Spoiler: Still Terrible
Because nothing says “my hate group is doing REALLY well, thanks,” like a complete revamp, on November 12, Michael Hill, the leader of the long-standing white supremacist League of the South (LoS), announced the group had a new name (The Southern Nationalist League (TSNL)), a new website and new status as a registered non-profit LLC. The glow-up is superficial, and TSNL will maintain LoS’s original mission of advocating for an independent and white-dominated South.
Why it Matters
LoS is struggling to remain relevant in a changing white supremacist landscape, a fact Hill pointed out in the announcement, in which he disturbingly uses female pronouns to describe the fading 30-year-old hate group: “She [LoS] stands no more like the staunch bulwark of Southern White racialism and separatism as she once did.” He can chalk that up to the growing public profile of newer white supremacist groups like Patriot Front and the Active Club network.
4. Why Should Right-Wing Loons Have All the Fun? Leftists Embrace Election Fraud Lies
Left-leaning conspiracy theorists, evidently tired of sitting on the sidelines, are diving into the cesspool of election denial. On the morning of November 6, viral posts on X, TikTok and Threads falsely claimed 15 to 20 million votes were “missing” compared to the 2020 election, and baselessly claimed that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites, connected via internet to certain electronic voting machines, were programmed to switch or manipulate votes in favor of President-elect Trump. In most cases, voting machines are not connected to the internet.
Why it Matters
In contrast to the violent threats that surfaced in the days and weeks following the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6 insurrection, to date we have not seen a parallel crusade to challenge the 2024 election results.
5. The Far-Right Anti-Israel Crowd is Having Fun with Wordplay
Far-right influencers critical of President-elect Trump are peppering social media, particularly X, with the phrase “Make Israel Great Again” (or “MIGA,” a riff on MAGA). The acronym is meant to denigrate the incoming administration’s pro-Israel stance and insinuate that its policies will prioritize Israel over the U.S.
Why it Matters
While this slogan isn’t new – or unique to the far-right – it has proliferated wildly since the election, with posters frequently pairing “MIGA” with antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, caricatures and conspiracy theories. It’s a reminder that for some extremists, support for Israel is the only unforgivable sin.
1. Halloween’s Over, Guy: COE Unmasks Popular Antisemitic X Influencer
COE has identified, with a high degree of confidence, Cyan Cruz of Amarillo, Texas, as the man behind the popular antisemitic X account “TheOfficial1984.” The handyman turned purveyor of hate currently has more than 205K followers on the platform.
Cruz, aka TheOfficial1984, uses his platform on X to share antisemitic memes, Holocaust denial and hateful tropes about Jews, while glorifying Hamas, demonizing Israelis and selling eye-wateringly offensive antisemitic merch via the “Bad Goys Club,” an online store he launched in October 2024 and promotes heavily on X.
Why it Matters
Hiding behind his blue check-verified “TheOfficial1984” alias, Cruz has taken advantage of the worsening antisemitism crisis by using it for clout and financial gain via his online sales — all under the cloak of anonymity (until now). This strategy — getting verified, racking up a huge audience and selling questionable merch – has proven popular among bigots and extremists on X, where hate speech has thrived, especially in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
2. Antisemites Celebrate Amsterdam Attack in Inspiring Display of Shared Bigotry
On the evening of November 7, Israeli soccer fans were violently attacked in the streets of Amsterdam following a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. Israelis were chased, harassed and assaulted in what appears to be a coordinated attack.
Why it Matters
The explosion of antisemitic violence in the Netherlands marks a significant escalation in violent targeting of Jewish people outside of Israel. Demonstrating that cruelty transcends all boundaries, foreign terror organizations like Hamas were joined by American antisemitic activists in praising the attacks.
Within Our Lifetime leader Fatima Mohammed called the pogrom “fun” and expressed sadness they couldn’t be there to join in. Samidoun, recently sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada for funding terrorism, praised the melee, declaring, “[This] is exactly what we mean by ‘Globalize the Intifada.’” Meanwhile, white supremacists Nick Fuentes and Stew Peters have blamed the attacks on the Israeli soccer fans who were being provocative towards the anti-Israel soccer fans, claiming that “they were asking for it” or that they deserved it.
3. Because We Don’t Have Enough to Worry About: Islamist-Inspired Terror Incidents Make Unwelcome U.S. Comeback
In October, authorities in Oklahoma and Arizona made arrests in suspected Islamist-inspired plots and attacks. Prospective Islamist plots have focused on churches, political figures, energy facilities and a Pride parade, and included one mass shooting plot against a Jewish target.
Why it Matters
This rash of arrests spotlights a troubling trend: we’re seeing a significant uptick in terror incidents in the U.S. motivated by extremist Islamist ideologies, outpacing right-wing and left-wing incidents. Before this, recent terror plots and attacks have been primarily linked to right-wing extremists, including white supremacists and anti-government extremists. Islamist extremists were never completely out of the picture, but most arrests were of people who were attempting to help terrorist organizations, including Al-Shabaab, ISIS and its hydra-head of subsidiaries, or leave the U.S. to fight alongside them. This new spike in Islamist terror incidents in the U.S. isn’t cause for immediate panic, but it does add a new element to our nightly “stare at the ceiling at 3 a.m. and fret about the world” routine.
4. Area Man Tests Disastrous New Pick-up Line
Borrowing a line from the world’s most repressive regimes, white supremacist Nick Fuentes seized on the November 5 presidential election results, posting, “Your Body, my choice. Forever,” on X and other platforms.
The post, which has been viewed more than 91 million times and reshared 35,000 times, prompted Fuentes’ gleeful followers to announce that women who get abortions would face “unspeakable consequences.”
This twisted sense of male ownership of women’s bodies animates much of the “manosphere,” whose influencers – including Andrew Tate – enthusiastically celebrated President-elect Trump’s 2024 victory.
Why it Matters
Grossly sexist rhetoric has become mainstream, thanks to most social media platforms’ apparent unwillingness to address rampant misogyny like Fuentes’. Unsurprisingly, this surge has sparked fear among many women and girls, who are encountering this rhetoric online and now in schools, where Fuentes’ “your body, my choice,” has become a catchphrase for young boys.
5. New England White Supremacists Will Do Anything to Avoid Reading a Book
On November 2, several members of New England White Network (NEWN), a small white supremacist group based in New Hampshire, held a Talmud and book-burning event on a member’s private property. Before filming the book burning (because if you don’t post it on socials, did it really happen?) the group filmed a member firing an M-16 rifle loaded with armor-piercing bullets into 18 volumes of the Talmud and the Zohar, a medieval tome of spiritual writings. Then they loaded the Talmud, the Zohar and more than 50 additional LGBTQ+ titles into the fire, making crass, homophobic, transphobic and antisemitic comments as they tossed each book into the fire. No one has ever accused white supremacists of being enlightened.
Why it Matters
Similarly, no one has ever accused white supremacists of being original. This was a scene right out of Nazi Germany, where officials burned books by authors they considered enemies of the state. The book burning -- the group’s second in a year -- is part of NEWN’s efforts to increase its on-the-ground activities, and, presumably, solidify members’ reputation as intellectual heavyweights.
1. This Election’s Got Everything: Russian Bomb Threats, Harassment, Suspicious Packages
Election Day 2024 was one for the books: On Tuesday, November 5, the FBI released a statement confirming “noncredible” bomb threats targeting polling stations in multiple states, notably Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, originating from Russian email domains. Polling locations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Cincinnati, Ohio, reported suspicious packages, forcing them to close until threats were cleared.
Why it Matters
So far, the Election Day incidents appear to be isolated, and there’s no evidence linking them to extremist groups. Even so, it’s critical to track and understand these tactics – from targeted harassment to bomb threats – because they may be used sow distrust in the democratic process, or even incite political violence. Consider it a very rough road map of potential future disasters.
2. Election Disinformation: Dusting Off Our Lie-Detector Kit
Is there anything more American than a slew of election-related mis- and disinformation campaigns timed to break at a decisive moment in a horse race of a presidential election? Apparently not, The conspiracy theorists and semi-professional liars did themselves proud in 2024, churning out a slate of truly bananas stories about immigrants, government-controlled hurricanes and, of course, Jewish control over…. everything.
Why it Matters
Election-related dis- and misinformation is nothing new, but it reached disturbing levels during the 2024 presidential campaign, bolstered by Generative AI and the resulting nightmarish images, videos and speeches. Foreign actors, notably Russians, mounted a reprise of their 2020 disinformation efforts, amplifying and recirculating existing false narratives with the hope of stoking racial division in the U.S. As technology improves, watch for the information ecosystem to be overwhelmed with (even more) misleading content. Something to look forward to.
For more about the truth behind election disinformation campaigns: The ADL Debunk: False Narratives Around the 2024 Presidential Election
3. Michigan Man Chooses Wrong Cologne for His Very Special Trip to Congress
On November 5, 2024, 28-year-old Austin Martin Olson, of Westland, Michigan, was arrested after he allegedly walked into the U.S. Capitol with a flare gun, torch lighter, bottles of fuel and a letter he said he intended to “deliver to Congress.” Olson was apprehended while trying to go through the visitor center screening process after Capitol Police noticed he smelled like fuel and spotted suspicious items in the X-ray machine. On X, Olson has expressed a range of far-right tropes and antisemitic views, railing against American capitalism and celebrating the racist and antisemitic Great Replacement conspiracy theory, which argues that Jews are trying to “replace” white Americans with nonwhite citizens (read: voters). For reference, this is the same venomous lie that motivated the Tree of Life synagogue shooter, the Buffalo supermarket shooter and the El Paso Wal-Mart shooter, among others.
Why it Matters
Antisemitism and vitriolic opposition to Israel are often combined with grievances against American systems to form an entirely illogical stew of hatred and bigotry. Yes, we’re looking at you, gasoline guy.
4. The Merger No One Asked For: National Socialist Front (NSF) & Patriot Front
On October 23, Joshua Dan Nunes, founder of the National Socialist Front (NSF), announced that NSF would merge with fellow white supremacist group Patriot Front. In a post shared on Telegram, Nunes wrote, not at all defensively, “NSF was a successful organization, and I decided to merge with PF [Patriot Front] to consolidate power. It’s just logical.”
Why it Matters
Disbanding NSF appears to be less of a carefully workshopped marketing decision than a response to mounting legal pressure and new legislation in Florida. Nunes has been hinting at a shift for a while; in a July 2023 interview with a neo-Nazi streamer, he announced the group would focus on “comradery building” and spend less time on demonstrations and propaganda distribution, saying, “I wouldn’t touch [the fliers] with a 20-foot pole now because you could potentially go to jail for 5 years over it.”
5. Utopia, but Make it Super Racist: White Supremacist Groups Fundraise to Buy Properties
What housing crisis? Two white supremacist Norse pagan groups are fundraising to purchase properties/buildings that are to become group “hofs,” or meeting houses. In September 2024, leadership for Irminfolk, a small, New York-based white supremacist group, announced it had purchased a Victorian-era house in an “undisclosed location” (but determined, via geo-location, to be in Thompson, Pennsylvania). The second group, Raven Folk United, founded in 2023 and based primarily in the western United States, launched its property fundraising campaign – providing no additional details -- in September 2024.
Why it Matters
Most Norse pagan (also known as Odinist) groups tend to prefer congregating in more out-of-the-way locations, but the Irminfolk’s property is smack dab in the middle of Main Street. This suggests the group may be testing Thompson’s small-town hospitality, or hoping the purchase will be seen as a direct provocation, which will attract media attention. However this plays out, COE will keep tabs on the purchase - -and how it impacts the local community.