Implausible MAGA-Linked Minnesota Shooter's Marxist Alibi Unravels Quickly
Every year, stunning incidents ignite the political landscape, leaving spectators scrambling to pick sides and fling accusations. Weekend's tragedy was no exception: A man disguised as a police officer fired upon long-standing Minnesota Congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in the entrance of their residence. Authorities claim they've nabbed the perpetrator, yet the war to define his political views has reached the virtual battlefield.
The suspect is said to be Vance Boelter, also known as the CEO of a private security firm. Following a standoff at one of his properties, Boelter surrendered to the police on Sunday.
In the aftermath of the shooting, right-wing accounts were quick to cast Boelter as a radical leftist. Senator Mike Lee, known for his flippant remarks, addressed the suspect as a "Marxist." Conservative accounts also seized upon the discovery of anti-Trump fliers, labeled "No Kings," allegedly in Boelter's vehicle. Boelter's appearance in a state working group by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz presented additional fuel for red-pill enthusiasts to label him as a seething leftist. Previously, the working group had been appointed by a Democratic governor. "So, a former Tim Walz appointee with 'No Kings' fliers in his car murdered and injured lawmakers? Holy smokes!" exclaimed LibsofTikTok on their social media account, fueling conspiracy theories.
On The Benny Show podcast, Donald Trump Jr. attempted to sow doubt about the assailant's political leanings. "I bet that Tim Walz isn't appointing conservatives," said Jr. "Apparently, he had the No Kings flyer in his possession. But he went after someone who blindly followed Democrat, radical-leftist dogma."
The internet is a battleground for ideologies, and the victors are often those who can spread their views fastest and most virally. Fortunately for the right-wing faction, they have a platform (X) owned by a right-leaning billionaire, Elon Musk, to help them disseminate their message effectively. It's plausible that when MAGA influencers claim the latest mass shooter is a deranged Biden supporter, they're trying to manipulate X's algorithm and ride the viral wave into user's feeds before reality sets in.
However, in this case, the right-wing campaign seems to have backfired almost immediately. Details released by law enforcement have quickly undermined MAGA's narrative. Authorities now say that Boelter is a registered Republican with a hit list of other Democratic lawmakers. Police also suspect that the "No Kings" fliers might have been in Boelter's vehicle because he wanted to target those protests, according to the Washington Post. The Department of Justice plans to charge Boelter with stalking and murder. New facts emerging about Boelter make it clear that he is anything but a "Marxist." Reports unveil that he grew up evangelical, runs his own private security company, and has expressed "far-right" views critical of abortion.
There are still many unanswered questions, such as the purpose of Boelter's "roommate," who works at Papa John's Pizza. This roommate, a man named David Carlson, has stated that Boelter is "conservative" and would be offended if people considered him a Democrat. Details about the suspect's personal life continue to surface, casting further doubt on the initial right-wing portrayal.
As the conservatives struggle to maintain the political narrative surrounding the shootings, conspiracy theories emerge, offering an escape route from accepting political responsibility. Alex Jones claims that Boelter is being used as a distraction to cover up a larger false-flag operation. "Mounting Evidence Suggests the Reported Minnesota Assassin Vance Luther Boelter is a Patsy Manufactured to Cover Up a Larger, Deep State Operation," reads a post on Jones's X profile. Jones also asserts that the "Democrat Machine" is trying to pass off the Minnesota shootings as an InfoWars conspiracy theory.
Democratic influencers are also seizing the opportunity to discredit the conservatives. "Deep within this NY Post article about Vance Boelter, the Minnesota murderer who targeted 2 Democrats, is the fact that he is a registered REPUBLICAN," wrote a notable Democratic influencer on their social media account.
It remains to be seen how the killings impact the political landscape in the state. By targeting Democratic lawmakers, the shooter may have upended the long-standing, bitterly divided legislature, whose Republican and Democratic factions have fought over power for over a year. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has until next February to fill the vacancy left by the slain congresswoman.
- The internet platforms, like X owned by Elon Musk, have become a battleground for ideologies, with right-wing factions using them to disseminate their views quickly and virally.
- However, the right-wing campaign surrounding the shooting of Minnesota Congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband seemed to backfire almost immediately, as new facts emerged about the suspect, Vance Boelter.
- Boelter, a registered Republican with a hit list of other Democratic lawmakers, grew up evangelical, and runs his own private security company, expressing views critical of abortion.
- Conspiracy theories continue to emerge, with Alex Jones claiming that Boelter is a patsy manufactured to distract from a larger, deep state operation, while Democratic influencers seize the opportunity to discredit the conservatives.
