It's gone too far: How online conspiracy theorists now directly affect White House policy

There have always been crazy people online, admits host Mona Charon on her podcast for The Bulwark. But now, she said in a conversation with Will Sommer who writes the False Flag newsletter, “It is unbelievable how far things have gone.”

Candace Owens, Charon says, “strikes me as a lunatic,” She cited Owens’ contention that Emmanuel Macron's wife, Brigitte, is a man, or that Erika Kirk played a role in her husband’s assassination.

These people have real influence,” said Sommer,and they have had real successes in manipulating the political scene, as with Owens undermining Turning Point USA’s influence.

“And often, that can affect what happens in the White House.”

The average person, Sommer added, may look at them and understand they’re crazy. “But it can be helpful to understand what they’re up to.”

No matter how outlandish, those on the receiving end of the attacks have to react. Witness Erika Kirk meeting with Owens after her accusations gained steam. Although that meeting didn’t sway Owens, who continued on the attack.

Charon. noted that “there’s a theme that runs through a lot of these people that you chronicle, and that is antisemitism.” That led to the mention of Nick Fuentes.

Sommer noted that “Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes dabble in much more antisemitism” than right wing pundits ever dared before.

Carlso, Charon said, is “deeply frightening” to her. “Of all of them, he is the one who deeply scares me.” That’s because of his charisma, she said.

Sommer agreed that Carlson has the ability to bring people along on even the wildest rides, noting his “testicle tanning” segment. But Carlson is also canny and playing on some of the same themes that VP JD Vance is. If Carlson decides to run for president, that makes him dangerous, Sommer said, because unlike Vance, he’s not burdened by the Trump administration. “So (Carlson) doesn't have to defend the war in Iran.”

Also coming in for scrutiny was Steve Bannon, even though he’s “made a lot of enemies on the right,” Sommer said, and Marjorie Taylor Green, who was tagged with the antisemitism brush as well.