Organizing for Election Day: The Rise of Extremist Groups
In recent weeks, various groups supporting former President Donald J. Trump have mobilized efforts to prepare poll watchers, particularly focusing on areas with significant Democratic voter presence. These organizations have disseminated messages that include imagery of armed individuals rallying for their cause, further amplifying their calls to action. Additionally, there has been a surge in conspiracy theories suggesting that any outcome other than a Trump victory on Election Day would constitute an unjust miscarriage of justice, warranting potential revolt.
One notable post from an Ohio chapter of the Proud Boys—a far-right group known for its involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack—declared, “The day is fast approaching when fence sitting will no longer be possible.” The message urged followers to choose sides: “You will either stand with the resistance or take a knee and willingly accept the yoke of tyranny and oppression.”
These communications predominantly emerged on Telegram, a social media platform known for its lax moderation policies and boasting nearly one billion users. Telegram has become a significant venue for extremists, allowing them to transform digital coordination into tangible, real-world actions. A recent analysis by The New York Times examined over one million messages from nearly 50 Telegram channels, totaling more than 500,000 members. The findings revealed a vast and interconnected movement aimed at undermining the credibility of the presidential election, obstructing the voting process, and potentially contesting the election outcome.
Almost every channel reviewed in this analysis was established after the 2020 election, highlighting the rapid growth and increasing sophistication of the election denialism movement. The Times scrutinized messages from various “election integrity” groups across a dozen states, including critical battlegrounds such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Michigan. The content of these posts overwhelmingly perpetuated disinformation and conspiracy theories, often accompanied by violent imagery.
Furthermore, the analysis uncovered that more than 4,000 posts actively encouraged members to engage in various actions, including:
- Attending local election meetings
- Participating in protest rallies
- Making financial contributions to support their causes
Additionally, messages from other right-wing factions called upon their followers to be prepared for violence, extending the aggressive rhetoric typically associated with major social media platforms into the physical realm. This alarming trend underscores the potential for chaos and unrest as Election Day approaches.
