A former federal employee, ex-Marine, and militia member from Virginia pleaded guilty to possessing ricin, a deadly toxin he manufactured himself. The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov has caused concern among the US far-right who fear losing their preferred platform for spreading conspiracy theories and propaganda. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continues to embrace QAnon rhetoric, sharing memes and boosting extremist accounts on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Russell Richardson Vane IV pleaded guilty to possessing ricin, which he made from castor beans. Vane, a former federal employee, was removed from the Virginia Kekoas militia after making alarming comments about explosives and political violence. Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, was arrested on charges related to the platform’s alleged involvement in illegal activities. Extremists had flocked to Telegram due to its hands-off approach to moderation.
Trump’s continued promotion of QAnon slogans and support for extremist accounts has raised concerns about the spread of violence and radicalization. Media Matters reported that Trump shared posts with QAnon slogans and reposted content from an account that called for the death of his political opponents. A recent poll showed that 74% of North Carolinians believe violence is likely after the upcoming Presidential election, indicating widespread fear and pessimism among both Republicans and Democrats.
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