Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | Politics | June 9, 2020
Donald Trump tweeted a conspiracy theory this morning, suggesting that 75-year-old Martin Gugino — shoved by police and left unconscious while he bled from the head — is an “ANTIFA provocateur.”
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020
Context: OANN is a right-wing television news network that has promoted a number of unfounded and untrue conspiracy theories in support of the President, including the Seth Rich conspiracy. It employs white supremacist Jack Posobiec, who also promoted the Pizzagate conspiracy. This particular conspiracy theory originated with Kristian Rouz, a Russian national who also writes for Kremlin-owned Sputnik.
Like, Trump has been controlled by his favorite shows his whole presidency, but that OANN tweet is also evidence that, as things spiral for him, Fox alone stops doing it for him and he's drawn toward purer, wilder and more adulatory forms of paranoid fancasting
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) June 9, 2020
What It Means: It means that Donald Trump will say anything to shift blame, and that he would defend the indefensible. Martin Gugino is a “longtime peaceful protester and human rights advocate.” Also, “ANTIFA” just means “anti-fascist,” and since when is it a bad thing to stand up against fascism?
Martin Gugino is still in the hospital, in serious but stable condition. Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe have been charged with his assault.
Also: This is the batshit insane report from OANN.
The INSANE propaganda video Trump watched before he kamikaze-tweeted this morning. The VO sounds like Fred Armisen on SNL. https://t.co/lap87zf3V5
— Jimmi Simpson (@jimmisimpson) June 9, 2020
