Published by Stephen Lee Myers in a piece titled “Misinformation and Disinformation” in The New York Times, he criticized conservatives for the chaos in Los Angeles. He cautioned readers against taking social media posts at face value, arguing that many contain “misleading” images that recycle old conspiracy theories while backing President Trump’s actions.
To bolster his argument, he cited an expert, Darren L. Linvill, who received funding from the progressive John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Linvill claimed that “Conservative online” activities are “staging riots” to support Trump’s narrative that Los Angeles is overrun by “a violent, rebel mob.”
In Myers’ perspective on misinformation, social media images of criminals, burning vehicles, and attacks on law enforcement are “aimed to provoke outrage primarily against Democrats, immigrants, and political leaders.”
He reported that multiple nights of extensive violence in Los Angeles, a city spanning 503 square miles, were actually confined to just a small area.
“Many [social media] posts gave the false impression that the entire city was engulfed in violence,” Myers noted, “when in reality, the conflict was limited to a small segment.”
In this view, violence appears unworthy of mention unless it engulfs the whole city, diminishing the seriousness of the crime.
Much like typical propaganda outlets, Myers reiterated the claim that the riots were a response to an “immigrant raid” in Los Angeles. The term “immigrant raid” conjures images of ICE agents searching homes for illegal aliens, which misrepresents the situation.
ICE Deputy Director Tom Homan clarified that the agency was pursuing three warrants “based on a massive criminal conspiracy” regarding a company allegedly involved in “not reporting over $80 million worth of goods” in a large international money laundering operation.
The propaganda press deliberately employs the misleading term “immigrant raid.” It’s a fear-mongering tactic that stirs anxiety.
Myers stated that “fake posts of brick palettes” fit the narrative of protests against government policies being illicit, as though this somehow indicates that the riots were a spontaneous grassroots movement.
Similar to a deceptive election campaign, the left aims to convince the public that minority viewpoints reflect majority support. It’s crucial to propagate the idea that individuals have gathered organically to oppose Trump’s agenda, asserting that the mob surely wasn’t financially incentivized to be there.
However, the rioters appeared overly organized—some carrying drums, others with pre-made signs, and some wearing protective masks—implying they didn’t arrive without coordination.
Myers directed criticism at everyone except the rioters themselves. He accused Trump of deploying federal forces to restore order and condemned social media accounts linked to Russia. He even scolded actor James Woods for allegedly “spreading conspiracy theories” while using his X account to challenge elected officials, particularly Democrat Newsom.
But so what? Woods is entitled to express his views without presenting himself as a reporter of misinformation.
Myers conceded the existence of numerous photos showing protesters throwing rocks and other objects, yet he claimed that some images were fabricated, attempting again to downplay the violence.
Anyone familiar with social media knows that old images—and now AI-generated content—are circulating online. This does not mitigate the damage caused by actual riots. Who cares about fake photos? What about the rocks hurled at people and property?
Yet, Myers isn’t acting alone; the press is disseminating misinformation as rapidly as the rioters are wreaking havoc in the streets.
If COVID closures, longstanding laws, and the crisis at our borders teach us anything, it’s that we should strongly reject propaganda. Trust your instincts, rely on your observations, and recognize that we are already battling a calculated invasion of the United States, with propaganda outlets contributing to this erosion of our nation.
Beth Blerge is a federalist election correspondent. She is an award-winning investigative journalist with decades of media experience.
Source: thefederalist.com