Trump's persistence on the adoption of Real ID has sparked a controversial debate among his supporters, earning them comparisons to tinfoil hat connoisseurs.
In a recent episode of his Infowars show, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones expressed his concerns about Real ID, a more secure form of identification with extra tech that's harder to forge. Jones claims that Real ID is part of a broader plan to implement a global identification system, connected to a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and controlled by global elites such as Bill Gates and the United Nations.
Jones' worldview interprets Real ID, a U.S. federal law that standardizes state-issued IDs, as a stepping stone toward worldwide digital identity systems tied to tracking and controlling citizens financially and socially. He argues that linking digital identity systems to a central bank digital currency would strip away financial privacy and autonomy, facilitating authoritarian control.
The DHS memo states that Real ID is intended to prevent criminals and potential terrorists from exploiting the aviation system, as seen during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Starting May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older who tries to get on a flight may be denied if they don't have a Real ID.
However, it's important to note that these claims are widely classified as conspiracy theories with no credible evidence. Jones is known for spreading unfounded and debunked theories.
In other news, President Donald Trump's administration has announced that there won't be another extension of the deadline for Americans to use Real ID-compliant identification to board a plane. The sale of Jones' Infowars website to The Onion was reversed by a court. Jones has a long history with Trump, having appeared on his show in 2015 and being present at the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. capitol.
Despite his opposition to Real ID, Jones' stance doesn't fit into a more libertarian worldview. Jones has a history of spreading lies and sensationalist accounts of popular news stories, and has been hit with a defamation lawsuit. Some conspiracy theorists, including Elon Musk, believe that large numbers of non-citizens vote in U.S. elections, but this is not true.
Reports suggest very long lines and widespread inability to get an appointment at the DMV for obtaining a Real ID-compliant identity card. Officials from the Trump regime are trying to sell the idea of Real ID to supporters by emphasizing its role in fighting illegal immigration. Real ID's higher security standards make it nearly impossible to forge legitimate documents, ensuring only verified travelers can fly.
However, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction when it comes to Real ID. While it does provide increased security, claims of global control and surveillance are unsubstantiated and should be viewed with scepticism.
- Gizmodo recently published an article discussing Alex Jones' claims about Real ID, suggesting that it could potentially be part of a larger plan to introduce a global identification system and central bank digital currency.
- In the realm of tech and future technology, the debate over Real ID's implications continues, with some conspiracy theorists arguing that it could strip away financial privacy and autonomy, while others, including officials from the Trump regime, emphasize its role in fighting illegal immigration.
- Despite Alex Jones' opposition to Real ID, his stance on the issue stands in contrast to a more libertarian worldview, given his history of spreading conspiracy theories and sensationalist accounts, as reported in general news and politics.
