DOCSLIB.ORG

Major Vendors Connected to Insurrection Groups Must Sever Ties to Maintain Standards for Use of Their Services

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Major Vendors Connected to Insurrection Groups Must Sever Ties to Maintain Standards for Use of Their Services Major Vendors Connected To Insurrection Groups Must Sever Ties To Maintain Standards For Use Of Their Services Summary: Several vendors, including the domain registrar and host GoDaddy.com and the e-commerce platform Shopify, provide services to organizations closely involved with the January 6th Capitol Riot. These groups, and the associated companies, include: • Turning Point USA, whose website is registered by GoDaddy.com and whose online store is "powered" by Shopify. Turning Point USA helped organize the January 6th rallies that led to the riot, with the organization's leader even providing 80 buses to transport Trump supporters. • The Rule of Law Defense Fund, the fundraising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association, whose website is hosted by Linode LLC and registered by GoDaddy.com, sent robocalls urging Trump supporters to march on the Capitol the day before the Capitol Riot occurred. • Women For America First, whose website is hosted by Google and registered by GoDaddy.com, urged a "caravan" of Trump supporters to attend the January 6th rally that led to the Capitol riot. In November 2020, Women For America First promoted the protests of white nationalist groups seeking to challenge the election results. • Tea Party Patriots, whose website is hosted by Fastly and Pantheon and registered by GoDaddy.com, was listed among the groups participating in the January 6th March to Save America Rally. • The Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, whose website is hosted by New Dream Network and registered by GoDaddy.com, was listed among the groups participating in the January 6th March to Save America Rally. • Brian Gibson, the pastor of HIS Church, whose website is hosted and registered by GoDaddy.com, took part in an event "billed as a combination worship service and rally for Trump" the day before the January 6th Capitol riot. Gibson had previously spent a month on a national pro-Trump bus tour. • The Eighty Percent Coalition, whose website is hosted and registered by GoDaddy.com, was founded just weeks before the January 6th rally and was named on permits for a November 2020 Pro- trump Rally featuring controversial Trump supporters Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Sebastian Gorka. • The Oath Keepers, whose online store is hosted and registered by GoDaddy.com, has several members charged with conspiracy to commit federal crimes for organizing individuals who stormed the Capitol. • Moms For America, whose online store is "powered" by Shopify, was among "coalition partners" for the March to Save America Rally and held a rally the day before where an Illinois congresswoman claimed “Hitler was right." In all, GoDaddy.com is the registrar for the websites of eight organizations involved with the events leading up to the January 6th Capitol riots, and the host of three organizations. Shopify serves as the e-commerce platform for two involved organizations. Other major companies, including Google, Linode, and Fastly, host the websites of other insurrectionist groups. GoDaddy.com and Shopify have both shown a past willingness to separate themselves from organizations involved in promoting and amplifying hateful rhetoric. In October 2018, GoDaddy ended its relationship as the domain registrar of a far-right social media site, Gab, after it was found to be in violation of its terms of service following a mass shooting perpetuated by one of its users. In January 2021, Shopify was quick to 1 shut down two online stores operated by Trump for violating its acceptable use policy by condoning political violence and promoting organizations threatening violence – organizations such as those named in this document. GoDaddy, Shopify, and other vendors should consider whether it is in their businesses’ best interest to provide services to organizations actively involved in the Capitol insurrection and whether that aligns with a standard of acceptable use of their services and products. GoDaddy.com Is The Domain Registrar For The Turning Point USA Website While Shopify "Powers" Its Online Merchandise Store – Turning Point Was Heavily Involved In The Rally Leading To The January 6th Capitol Riot, With its Leader, Charlie Kirk, Going As Far As Providing 80 Buses To Transport Supporters. GoDaddy.com Is The Domain Registrar For Turning Point's Website, While Its Ultimate Webhost Was Not Immediately Apparent Due To The Use Of Cloudflare. GoDaddy.com, LLC Serves As The Domain Registrar For The Turning Point USA Website, Tpusa.com. [DomainTools, accessed 02/10/21] Turning Point USA Uses Cloudflare, Which Makes Their Ultimate Web Host Difficult To Ascertain. • Cloudflare Is "Not A Hosting Provider," Instead Offering Services To "Enhance Security, Performance, And Reliability Of Anything Connected To The Internet." "More than just Content Delivery (CDN) services, customers rely on Cloudflare’s global network to enhance security, performance, and reliability of anything connected to the Internet. […] Cloudflare is not a hosting provider." [Cloudflare.com, accessed 02/12/21] 2 [HostingChecker.com, accessed 02/10/21] Turning Point's Online Store Is Operated Through Shopify. Turning Point USA's Online Store, ShopTPUSA.com. Is "Powered" By Shopify. [Turning Point USA, accessed 02/10/21] College Conservative-Focused Group Turning Point USA Helped Organize The January 6th Rally Which Led To The Insurrection. Turning Point Action, An Arm Of Turning Point USA Led By TPUSA’s Founder, Was Listed As An Organizer Of January 6th’s Washington DC Rally. “Charlie Kirk, a firebrand conservative activist and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, is preparing to unveil a nonprofit that will allow his organization to campaign against Democrats during the 2020 election season. CNBC discovered Kirk’s new organization, called Turning Point Action, after reviewing an embedded donor link that shows the soon-to-be-finalized group targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.” [CNBC, 05/20/19] [Documented, 01/11/21] 3 Turning Point USA Is A Conservative Group Focused Which Seeks To Organize College Aged Conservatives. “In 2012, Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grassroots organization that encourages conservative college students to rally for causes such as free market policies. The Internal Revenue Service prohibits 501(c)(3)s to participate, either directly or indirectly, in political campaigns.” [CNBC, 05/20/19] Turning Point USA And Turning Point Action Founder And Leader Charlie Kirk Prominently Promoted The More Than 80 Buses They Organized To Bring Supporters To The Rally. [Twitter Archive, 01/04/21] Linode, LLC Hosts The Website Of The Republican Attorneys General Association, Whose Subsidiary, Rule Of Law Defense Fund, Made Robocalls Urging Trump Supporters To March On The Capitol. The Republican Attorneys General Association's Website Is Hosted By Linode, LLC, While GoDaddy.Com Serves As Its Domain Registrar. GoDaddy.com, LLC Serves As The Domain Registrar For The Republican Attorney General Association Website, RepublicanAGs.com. [DomainTools, accessed 02/10/21] 4 Linode, LCC Serves As The Webhost For The Republican Attorney General Association Website. [HostingChecker.com, accessed 02/10/21] The Rule Of Law Defense Fund (RLDF), A Fundraising Arm Of The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), Made Robocalls Urging A March On The Capitol The Day Before A Deadly Pro-Trump Attempted Coup Occurred There. The Rule Of Law Defense Fund (RLDF), A “Fundraising Arm Of The Republican Attorneys General Association [RAGA],” Sent Robocalls Urging People To March On The Capitol The Day Before The Riots Occurred. “An arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a national group representing the top law enforcement officers in their states, sent out robocalls encouraging people to march to the U.S. Capitol the day before the building was stormed by a pro-Trump mob. [...] The calls, which did not advocate violence or suggest the building should be breached, was sent out by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a fundraising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association. The groups share funding, staff and office space in Washington, D.C.” [NBC News, 01/08/21] RLDF Was Also Listed Among The Rally’s Participating Organizations. “A website set up to promote the rally that preceded the Capitol incursion lists the Rule of Law Defense Fund as one of the participating organizations. The site has since been taken down.” [NBC News, 01/08/21] Google Hosts The Website Of Women For America First, Whose Chair Was Named On Permits For The Rally Leading To The Capitol Riot And Promoted White Supremacists Protests In November 2020 Challenging The Electoral Results. Women For America First's Website Is Hosted By Google, While Godaddy.com Serves As Its Domain Registrar. GoDaddy.com, LLC Serves As The Domain Registrar For The Women For America First Website, WomenForAmericaFirst.org. 5 [DomainTools, accessed 02/10/21] Google Serves As The Webhost For The Women For America First Website. [HostingChecker.com, accessed 02/10/21] Women For America First Chair, Amy Kremer, Was Named On The Permit For The “Save America” Rally. Women For America First Was Listed Among The “Coalition Partners” And Groups Participating In The March To Save America. [Documented, 01/07/21] Amy Kremer Is The Chair Of Women For America First And Was Also Listed On The Permit For The January 6th “March For America” Rally. “Women for America First is chaired by Amy Kremer, a longtime political operative that was once the head of the Tea Party Express, an organization that was created to support the conservative Tea Party movement.” [CNBC, 01/08/21] Women For America First’s Leadership Urged A “Caravan” Carrying Supporters To The January 6th Rally Which Led To The Insurrection Women For America First Is Chaired By Amy Kremer. “Women for America First is chaired by Amy Kremer, a longtime political operative that was once the head of the Tea Party Express, an organization that was created to support the conservative Tea Party movement.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Tea Party and the Muslim Brotherhood: Who They Are and How American News Media Gets It Wrong
    Jeremy Abrams The Tea Party and the Muslim Brotherhood: Who they are and How American News Media Gets it Wrong Jeremy Abrams 1 Table of Content I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 II. Defining Political Parties and their Role in Democracies ................................................................. 2 A. Generally ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 B. Structurally .................................................................................................................................................... 3 C. How the Tea Party and the Muslim Brotherhood Fit the Mold ................................................. 4 III. Brief Descriptions of the Tea Party and the Muslim Brotherhood ............................................. 4 A. The Tea Party ................................................................................................................................................ 5 1. History ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 2. The System in Which it Operates ..................................................................................................... 9 3. Official Status ........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Key Committees 2021
    Key Committees 2021 Senate Committee on Appropriations Visit: appropriations.senate.gov Majority Members Minority Members Patrick J. Leahy, VT, Chairman Richard C. Shelby, AL, Ranking Member* Patty Murray, WA* Mitch McConnell, KY Dianne Feinstein, CA Susan M. Collins, ME Richard J. Durbin, IL* Lisa Murkowski, AK Jack Reed, RI* Lindsey Graham, SC* Jon Tester, MT Roy Blunt, MO* Jeanne Shaheen, NH* Jerry Moran, KS* Jeff Merkley, OR* John Hoeven, ND Christopher Coons, DE John Boozman, AR Brian Schatz, HI* Shelley Moore Capito, WV* Tammy Baldwin, WI* John Kennedy, LA* Christopher Murphy, CT* Cindy Hyde-Smith, MS* Joe Manchin, WV* Mike Braun, IN Chris Van Hollen, MD Bill Hagerty, TN Martin Heinrich, NM Marco Rubio, FL* * Indicates member of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which funds IMLS - Final committee membership rosters may still be being set “Key Committees 2021” - continued: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Visit: help.senate.gov Majority Members Minority Members Patty Murray, WA, Chairman Richard Burr, NC, Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, VT Rand Paul, KY Robert P. Casey, Jr PA Susan Collins, ME Tammy Baldwin, WI Bill Cassidy, M.D. LA Christopher Murphy, CT Lisa Murkowski, AK Tim Kaine, VA Mike Braun, IN Margaret Wood Hassan, NH Roger Marshall, KS Tina Smith, MN Tim Scott, SC Jacky Rosen, NV Mitt Romney, UT Ben Ray Lujan, NM Tommy Tuberville, AL John Hickenlooper, CO Jerry Moran, KS “Key Committees 2021” - continued: Senate Committee on Finance Visit: finance.senate.gov Majority Members Minority Members Ron Wyden, OR, Chairman Mike Crapo, ID, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, MI Chuck Grassley, IA Maria Cantwell, WA John Cornyn, TX Robert Menendez, NJ John Thune, SD Thomas R.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture Wars' Reloaded: Trump, Anti-Political Correctness and the Right's 'Free Speech' Hypocrisy
    The 'Culture Wars' Reloaded: Trump, Anti-Political Correctness and the Right's 'Free Speech' Hypocrisy Dr. Valerie Scatamburlo-D'Annibale University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Abstract This article explores how Donald Trump capitalized on the right's decades-long, carefully choreographed and well-financed campaign against political correctness in relation to the broader strategy of 'cultural conservatism.' It provides an historical overview of various iterations of this campaign, discusses the mainstream media's complicity in promulgating conservative talking points about higher education at the height of the 1990s 'culture wars,' examines the reconfigured anti- PC/pro-free speech crusade of recent years, its contemporary currency in the Trump era and the implications for academia and educational policy. Keywords: political correctness, culture wars, free speech, cultural conservatism, critical pedagogy Introduction More than two years after Donald Trump's ascendancy to the White House, post-mortems of the 2016 American election continue to explore the factors that propelled him to office. Some have pointed to the spread of right-wing populism in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis that culminated in Brexit in Europe and Trump's victory (Kagarlitsky, 2017; Tufts & Thomas, 2017) while Fuchs (2018) lays bare the deleterious role of social media in facilitating the rise of authoritarianism in the U.S. and elsewhere. Other 69 | P a g e The 'Culture Wars' Reloaded: Trump, Anti-Political Correctness and the Right's 'Free Speech' Hypocrisy explanations refer to deep-rooted misogyny that worked against Hillary Clinton (Wilz, 2016), a backlash against Barack Obama, sedimented racism and the demonization of diversity as a public good (Major, Blodorn and Blascovich, 2016; Shafer, 2017).
    [Show full text]
  • Where the U.S. Is Going in 2021 and Beyond Infrastructure Where the U.S
    InfrAstructure Where the U.S. is going in 2021 and beyond Infrastructure Where the U.S. is going in 2021 and beyond Table of Contents Biden Administration readies for infrastructure push . 3 Road to recovery and growth travels along Dave Boyer broadband infrastructure . 14 U.S. Representative Dave Joyce (OH-14) Real leadership builds America-first energy infrastructure . 4 Let’s aspire to create broadband partnerships Governor Kristi Noem (SD) benefiting education, health, and more . 15 U.S. Representative Mary Miller (IL-15) When states leverage private sector infrastructure partners, everyone wins . 5 Hollywood’s attack on the Dakota Access Pipeline Governor Larry Hogan (MD) is high-flying hypocrisy . 16 Craig Stevens, Grow America’s Infrastructure Now Infrastructure investment will get America moving again . 6 Greenlight policies that cut red tape stalling Bipartisan Policy Center infrastructure progress . 17 U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13) es We can come together for smart infrastructure . 8 TIM U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (OK) The future of U .S . aviation will be safer, n greener, more accessible, innovative . 18 GTO n Infrastructure investment should be a national U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-2) HI priority, not a talking point . 9 AS W U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (ND) Blueprint for communities in 2021: e Respond, recover, rebuild . 19 Domestic maritime safeguards the supply chain, Kathy Maness, National League of Cities T TO TH T TO en bolsters the economy . 10 M e Jennifer Carpenter, American Waterways Operators History proves and future calls for infrastructure PPL and mitigation projects . 20 su Pandemic hits public transportation systems .
    [Show full text]
  • Testimony of Omar Ricci Chairman Islamic Center Of
    Testimony of Omar Ricci Chairman Islamic Center of Southern California On “Confronting White Supremacy (Part I): The Consequences of Inaction” House Committee on Oversight and Reform May 15, 2019 Chairman Raskin, Ranking Member Roy and honorable members of the Oversight subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, my name is Omar Ricci, and I would like to thank the Committee for the opportunity to testify on the impact of white supremacy and white supremacist violence on American Muslims. I am here today to share my experiences as an American Muslim, the Chairperson of the Islamic Center of Southern California and as a law enforcement officer. I am not testifying in my capacity as an officer of the Los Angeles Police Department and the views shared in this testimony are mine alone. While I identify as a Muslim, my testimony today is rooted in an identity that is wholly American and a reflection of my concern as an American citizen. White supremacy is an evil that harms all Americans, regardless of race or religion, because it is one that is founded on a hateful and false sense of superiority. My hope is that my testimony can serve as a voice for all who have been scarred and impacted by the increase in white supremacist motivated attacks I am 50 years old, born in New York City to a Pakistani immigrant mother and a second generation Italian/Irish father. I moved to the great city of Los Angeles in 1972 and it has been home ever since. I attended Fairfax High School in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, and graduated from California State University Northridge.
    [Show full text]
  • 117Th Illinois Congressional Delegation
    ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION 117th Congress Two Senators represent each state in the U.S. Senate and are elected to serve six-year terms. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D) of Springfield was elected to represent Illinois for a fifth term in 2020. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates (D) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. (See pages 16-19 for U.S. Senator photos and biographies.) In the November 2020 general election, Illinois voters elected 18 candidates to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for two-year terms. Thirteen Democratic and five Republican U.S. Representatives were elected to serve in the 117th Congress. The November 2020 general election was historical, with the most women ever elect- ed to serve in Congress. Democrat Marie Newman and Republican Mary Miller — repre- senting districts that were previously held by men — added to the increase of female Representatives. Newman definitively won the general election to represent the 13th District after defeating 16-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinksi (D) in the March pri- mary. Miller won the 15th District seat that was previously held by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R), who served 12 terms in Congress and opted not to run for reelection. Since 1818, Illinois has had a total of 20 female U.S. Representatives. In 2021, seven are currently rep- resenting our state — a record-breaking total. The 117th Congress serves from Jan. 3, 2021, to Jan. 3, 2023. A view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. 36 | 2021-2022 ILLINOIS BLUE BOOK 1st Congressional District BOBBY L.
    [Show full text]
  • The Confusion Surrounding the FBI's Renewed Investigation of Brett Kavanaugh; New Free Trade Deal with U.S
    The Confusion Surrounding The FBI's Renewed Investigation of Brett Kavanaugh; New Free Trade Deal With U.S. Will See Canada's Duty-Free Limit Raised To $150 From $20; A Year After Vegas Shooting; Trump Versus The Media; Libertarian Joins Race To Represent Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania In Congress International Wire October 2, 2018 Tuesday Copyright 2018 ProQuest Information and Learning All Rights Reserved Copyright 2018 ASC Services II Media, LLC Length: 7640 words Dateline: Lanham Body FULL TEXT LOU DOBBS, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK HOST: Thanks for being with us. Good night from New York. LISA KENNEDY MONTGOMERY, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK HOST: The Senate's top Republican has a warning for Democrats. Quit delaying, obstructing, and resisting the confirmation vote for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. And it comes amid a new poll showing more Americans think that Supreme Court nominee is the target of a politically motivated smear campaign. Now, as you know, the FBI is currently investigating claims that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted several women back in the 1980s. Among them Dr. Christine Blasey Ford who testified against him last week. She says she's a hundred percent sure Kavanaugh drunkenly attacked her in high school. Kavanaugh of course denies everything. And moments ago President Trump defended his nominee at a rally in T-E-N-N-E-S-S-E-E, Tennessee. Watch. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Democrats are willing to do anything and to hurt anyone to get their way like they're doing with Judge Kavanaugh. They've been trying to destroy him since the very first second he was announced because they know that Judge Kavanaugh will follow the constitution as written.
    [Show full text]
  • How White Supremacy Returned to Mainstream Politics
    GETTY CORUM IMAGES/SAMUEL How White Supremacy Returned to Mainstream Politics By Simon Clark July 2020 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG How White Supremacy Returned to Mainstream Politics By Simon Clark July 2020 Contents 1 Introduction and summary 4 Tracing the origins of white supremacist ideas 13 How did this start, and how can it end? 16 Conclusion 17 About the author and acknowledgments 18 Endnotes Introduction and summary The United States is living through a moment of profound and positive change in attitudes toward race, with a large majority of citizens1 coming to grips with the deeply embedded historical legacy of racist structures and ideas. The recent protests and public reaction to George Floyd’s murder are a testament to many individu- als’ deep commitment to renewing the founding ideals of the republic. But there is another, more dangerous, side to this debate—one that seeks to rehabilitate toxic political notions of racial superiority, stokes fear of immigrants and minorities to inflame grievances for political ends, and attempts to build a notion of an embat- tled white majority which has to defend its power by any means necessary. These notions, once the preserve of fringe white nationalist groups, have increasingly infiltrated the mainstream of American political and cultural discussion, with poi- sonous results. For a starting point, one must look no further than President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for policy and chief speechwriter, Stephen Miller. In December 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Hatewatch published a cache of more than 900 emails2 Miller wrote to his contacts at Breitbart News before the 2016 presidential election.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Activities of the Committee on Natural Resources
    1 Union Calendar No. 696 114TH CONGRESS " ! REPORT 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 114–886 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES DURING THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION JANUARY 6, 2015–DECEMBER 18, 2015 SECOND SESSION JANUARY 4, 2016–JANUARY 3, 2017 together with SUPPLEMENTAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS DECEMBER 22, 2016.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:35 Jan 06, 2017 Jkt 023127 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6012 Sfmt 6012 E:\HR\OC\HR886.XXX HR886 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REPORTS E:\Seals\Congress.#13 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:35 Jan 06, 2017 Jkt 023127 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6019 Sfmt 6019 E:\HR\OC\HR886.XXX HR886 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REPORTS with DSK4SPTVN1PROD on SSpencer 1 Union Calendar No. 696 114TH CONGRESS " ! REPORT 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 114–886 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES DURING THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION JANUARY 6, 2015–DECEMBER 18, 2015 SECOND SESSION JANUARY 4, 2016–JANUARY 3, 2017 together with SUPPLEMENTAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS DECEMBER 22, 2016.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 23–127 WASHINGTON : 2016 VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:35 Jan 06, 2017 Jkt 023127 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4012 Sfmt 4012 E:\HR\OC\HR886.XXX HR886 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REPORTS E:\Seals\Congress.#13 COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FULL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ROB BISHOP, Utah, Chairman RAU´ L M.
    [Show full text]
  • Trumpism on College Campuses
    UC San Diego UC San Diego Previously Published Works Title Trumpism on College Campuses Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1d51s5hk Journal QUALITATIVE SOCIOLOGY, 43(2) ISSN 0162-0436 Authors Kidder, Jeffrey L Binder, Amy J Publication Date 2020-06-01 DOI 10.1007/s11133-020-09446-z Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Qualitative Sociology (2020) 43:145–163 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-020-09446-z Trumpism on College Campuses Jeffrey L. Kidder1 & Amy J. Binder 2 Published online: 1 February 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract In this paper, we report data from interviews with members of conservative political clubs at four flagship public universities. First, we categorize these students into three analytically distinct orientations regarding Donald Trump and his presidency (or what we call Trumpism). There are principled rejecters, true believers, and satisficed partisans. We argue that Trumpism is a disunifying symbol in our respondents’ self- narratives. Specifically, right-leaning collegians use Trumpism to draw distinctions over the appropriate meaning of conservatism. Second, we show how political clubs sort and shape orientations to Trumpism. As such, our work reveals how student-led groups can play a significant role in making different political discourses available on campuses and shaping the types of activism pursued by club members—both of which have potentially serious implications for the content and character of American democracy moving forward. Keywords Americanpolitics.Conservatism.Culture.Highereducation.Identity.Organizations Introduction Donald Trump, first as a candidate and now as the president, has been an exceptionally divisive force in American politics, even among conservatives who typically vote Republican.
    [Show full text]
  • Capitol Insurrection at Center of Conservative Movement
    Capitol Insurrection At Center Of Conservative Movement: At Least 43 Governors, Senators And Members Of Congress Have Ties To Groups That Planned January 6th Rally And Riots. SUMMARY: On January 6, 2021, a rally in support of overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election “turned deadly” when thousands of people stormed the U.S. Capitol at Donald Trump’s urging. Even Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who rarely broke with Trump, has explicitly said, “the mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people.” These “other powerful people” include a vast array of conservative officials and Trump allies who perpetuated false claims of fraud in the 2020 election after enjoying critical support from the groups that fueled the Capitol riot. In fact, at least 43 current Governors or elected federal office holders have direct ties to the groups that helped plan the January 6th rally, along with at least 15 members of Donald Trump’s former administration. The links that these Trump-allied officials have to these groups are: Turning Point Action, an arm of right-wing Turning Point USA, claimed to send “80+ buses full of patriots” to the rally that led to the Capitol riot, claiming the event would be one of the most “consequential” in U.S. history. • The group spent over $1.5 million supporting Trump and his Georgia senate allies who claimed the election was fraudulent and supported efforts to overturn it. • The organization hosted Trump at an event where he claimed Democrats were trying to “rig the election,” which he said would be “the most corrupt election in the history of our country.” • At a Turning Point USA event, Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Combating Election Misinformation
    COMBATING ELECTION MISINFORMATION July 30, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 5 INSTRUCTORS................................................................................................................................ 6 OUTLINE ......................................................................................................................................... 8 WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT INFLUENCE OPERATIONS? ................................................... 10 A BIGGER SCALE IN 2020 ................................................................................................................................. 10 A TOP CONCERN OF VOTERS ......................................................................................................................... 11 SOURCES ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS ...................................................................................................... 13 INFORMATION OPERATIONS AND INFLUENCE OPERATIONS ............................................................ 13 MISINFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................. 13 DISINFORMATION .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]