Topline
The man who allegedly attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, posted on Facebook about conspiracies related to the 2020 election and Covid-19 pandemic, according to reports–the latest example of a disturbing link between extremism fostered on social media and political violence.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 28: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) takes measurements around … [+]
Key Facts
The suspect, 42-year-old David Depape, reposted videos made by My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell — a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump — which peddled false narratives that the 2020 presidential election was rigged in President Joe Biden’s favor, according to CNN, which confirmed the Facebook account with two of Depape’s relatives.
Depape’s Facebook page also reportedly linked to a YouTube video slamming the House select committee investigating the Capitol riots as a “farce commission.”
Depape shared links claiming Covid-19 vaccines were killing people and that the pandemic was engineered by those in power to dismantle and control society, a conspiracy known as the “Great Reset.”
None of the posts reviewed by CNN appeared to reference Pelosi directly, the outlet reported, and it’s unclear what political party Depape identifies with.
Most of the troubling posts on Depape’s Facebook–which was removed by the platform on Friday, according to CNN–were from 2021.
People who knew Depape said he frequently exhibited disturbing behavior, seemed disconnected from reality, and was estranged from his family in Canada where he grew up, CNN reported.
Key Background
Depape is suspected of breaking into the Speaker’s Pacific Heights home around 2:30 a.m. on Friday and attacking her 82-year-old husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer, San Francisco police said. Depape reportedly targeted the speaker’s home in search of her before attempting to tie Paul Pelosi up “until Nancy got home,” CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation. Depape–whose possible motive is under investigation–will be charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and other felonies, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said. Paul Pelosi was taken to the hospital following the attack and is expected to make a full recovery.
Crucial Quote
“This morning’s terrifying attack on Paul Pelosi by a man obsessed with election conspiracies is a dangerous reality encouraged by some members of my own party,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of two Republicans on the January 6 committee, tweeted Friday.
Tangent
Facebook and other social media platforms served as a prominent vehicle for Trump and his allies to push false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and organize the January 6 Capitol riots. Trump was booted from Twitter after the platform accused him of leading his supporters to believe he was the true winner of the election, inspiring them to break into the Capitol, where they ransacked Pelosi’s and other Congress members’ offices. Depape reportedly yelled “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?” after breaking into the speaker’s home early Friday, repeating a phrase used by Capitol rioters. The alleged attack at Pelosi’s home–and the disturbing social media activity that preceded it–is among a disturbing number of examples of acts of violence foreshadowed on social media that have prompted law enforcement agencies to investigate the role of the platforms themselves in the attacks. Following the May mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, state Attorney General Letitia James opened an investigation into the role of social media in the attack and found that the alleged gunman was “first indoctrinated and radicalized” through the “fringe” social media site, 4Chan. The report details how he allegedly laid out his plans in a racist manifesto posted to the site Discord, portions of which made its way on to more mainstream platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
Further Reading
Buffalo Shooter ‘Radicalized’ By Social Media Sites, NY Attorney General Says (Forbes)
Will Trump Return To Twitter? Here Are The Tweets That Got Him Banned In The First Place (Forbes)
Most Republicans And Democrats Think Misinformation Is Fueling Hate Crimes And Extremism, Poll Finds (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/10/28/paul-pelosis-alleged-attackers-facebook-page-filled-with-2020-election-conspiracies-reports-say/