Keeping Extremism at a Distance

How Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Play to Denounce Laura Loomer Reveals Deep Hypocrisy in Party Narratives

The recent spat between Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and far-right activist Laura Loomer has caught the attention of political observers, sparking questions about the true motivations behind their public fallout. The disagreement began when Greene responded to a racist tweet by Loomer, condemning her remarks and distancing herself from the controversial figure. On the surface, it might seem like Greene is taking a principled stand against racism and extremism. However, given their history and the broader political context, the situation seems more like a strategic move than a genuine rejection of Loomer’s views.

Laura Loomer, a self-proclaimed white supremacist and notorious conspiracy theorist, has long been known for her race-driven posts and extremist rhetoric. Despite this, Marjorie Taylor Greene never seemed to have a problem with Loomer’s inflammatory statements in the past. In fact, the two have often shared similar ideologies, especially when it comes to spreading conspiracy theories. So why the sudden public rebuke?

The answer may lie in Loomer’s growing proximity to Donald Trump. Loomer has recently been traveling with Trump, much to the dismay of his advisors, who have warned him to distance himself from her due to her history of white supremacist propaganda and her vocal support for wild conspiracy theories. Greene’s denunciation of Loomer appears less about moral outrage and more like an effort to protect Trump’s political image by creating distance between him and Loomer. Ironically, this maneuver comes from a congresswoman who has built her own political career on many of the same conspiracy theories that Loomer espouses.

The hypocrisy is hard to miss. Greene’s sudden concern with Loomer’s controversial views contrasts sharply with her own well-documented history of promoting fringe theories and inflammatory rhetoric. From her flirtation with QAnon to her baseless claims about election fraud, Greene has trafficked in conspiracy theories for years. In this article, I intend to take a deeper look into Greene’s history of spreading misinformation and conspiracies, and ask the question, “Why do Trump’s cabinet and advisors see Loomer as a threat to Trump’s electability, but not see Marjorie in the same light given her history of wild and exhausting claims?”

QAnon Conspiracy Theories

In 2017 and 2018, Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly expressed her support for QAnon, a baseless far-right conspiracy theory that emerged in October 2017. QAnon followers believe that an anonymous figure named “Q” is sharing secret information about a battle between former President Donald Trump and a so-called deep state, comprised of Satan-worshipping pedophiles, global elites, and Democrats who are allegedly involved in child sex trafficking rings.

In a video posted on social media in 2017, Greene described Q as a “patriot” and encouraged others to “trust the plan,” a QAnon slogan that suggests followers should have faith in a forthcoming reckoning or mass arrests of these supposed deep state operatives. She said in the video, “There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it.” Greene also expressed hope that Q’s predictions would come true and that the deep state would be dismantled, affirming her belief in the conspiracy’s core narrative.

Throughout 2018, Greene frequently posted and commented on QAnon-related topics on her Facebook page. She shared QAnon slogans like “WWG1WGA” (Where We Go One, We Go All), which has become a rallying cry for QAnon adherents. Greene’s posts often contained conspiracy-laden rhetoric and memes that aligned with QAnon’s worldview, such as claims that the “deep state” was trying to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency.

In one instance, she shared a video with the caption, “With Q, Q is the highest level of security in the United States government,” repeating a common false belief among QAnon followers that “Q” is a high-level government insider with access to classified information.

“There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it.”

Source: The New York Times

9/11 “Inside Job” Claims

In a 2018 Facebook post, Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned the events surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks, specifically casting doubt on the well-documented fact that a hijacked airplane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon. In a video she posted on Facebook, Greene said:

“It’s odd there’s never any evidence shown for a plane in the Pentagon.”

This statement echoes a popular 9/11 conspiracy theory that suggests the Pentagon was not actually struck by a plane but rather by a missile or some other form of attack orchestrated by the U.S. government. The theory falsely claims that there was no debris from a plane crash at the Pentagon site, despite numerous eyewitness accounts, photographs, and a comprehensive government investigation that confirmed the impact of Flight 77.

Greene’s comments align her with the so-called “9/11 Truth” movement, which promotes the idea that the U.S. government was either complicit in or directly involved in the 9/11 attacks.

Source: Rolling Stone, AP News

Promotion of Pizzagate Conspiracies

Marjorie Taylor Greene shared content on social media that amplified the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. In multiple Facebook posts from 2017 and 2018, she appeared to endorse or at least lend credence to the Pizzagate claims. Greene suggested that powerful political figures were involved in a child sex-trafficking ring and that the mainstream media was covering it up.

For example, she shared content related to “Frazzledrip,” a particularly extreme offshoot of the Pizzagate theory, which falsely claimed that a video exists showing Hillary Clinton and her aide, Huma Abedin, abusing a child. Greene shared posts that included the hashtag #Pizzagate and referenced the child abuse and trafficking narrative central to this conspiracy theory.

Greene engaged with comments and posts that directly referenced Pizzagate and similar conspiracies. In one instance, she liked and replied to a Facebook comment about a potential hangout spot for Democrats accused in the Pizzagate conspiracy. The comment described Comet Ping Pong as a place “where they abuse children.” Greene’s response included agreement and further commentary that reinforced her apparent belief in the theory.

Greene’s online activity during this period frequently included promoting and endorsing Pizzagate narratives alongside other conspiracy theories, such as QAnon and false flag allegations about mass shootings. While some of these comments could be construed as merely “questioning” mainstream narratives, the frequency and nature of her endorsements strongly suggest she was more than willing to propagate these unfounded claims.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has often conflated Pizzagate with broader anti-trafficking rhetoric, positioning herself as a crusader against alleged child exploitation rings operated by powerful Democrats and global elites. This framing allows Greene to present herself as advocating for child protection while continuing to promote debunked conspiracy theories.

On her social media pages and in online videos, Greene frequently echoed themes common to Pizzagate, implying that high-ranking politicians were involved in secretive and nefarious activities related to child trafficking. Her rhetoric and the content she shared often included coded language and imagery associated with Pizzagate, which resonated with her followers who were already predisposed to believe such claims.

Source: CNN, AP News

Parkland and Sandy Hook School Shooting “False Flag” Conspiracies

Marjorie Taylor Greene has a well-documented history of engaging with and spreading conspiracy theories about the Parkland and Sandy Hook school shootings. Both tragedies have been targeted by conspiracy theorists who falsely claim that the shootings were “false flag” operations—coordinated events meant to push a political agenda, often related to gun control.

Greene’s promotion of these harmful conspiracy theories occurred before her tenure in Congress, where she echoed or directly spread baseless claims that questioned the reality of these horrific events and the experiences of the survivors.

In January 2019, Marjorie Taylor Greene posted a video of herself following and harassing David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Washington, D.C. The video shows Greene aggressively questioning Hogg, calling him a “coward” and suggesting that he was part of an orchestrated effort to undermine the Second Amendment. She accused him of being funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, a common trope used in conspiracy theories to suggest nefarious intent.

During the encounter, Greene questioned the legitimacy of Hogg’s activism, implying that he was being used as a pawn to push for gun control and indirectly lending credibility to the baseless claim that the Parkland shooting was a “false flag” operation. Her behavior in this video exemplifies her willingness to confront and harass individuals publicly, questioning their trauma and spreading doubt about the reality of mass shootings.

On Facebook, Marjorie Taylor Greene liked and endorsed comments and posts that referred to the Parkland shooting as a “false flag” operation. “False flag” is a term used by conspiracy theorists to suggest that events were staged by the government or other powerful entities to manipulate public opinion and implement stricter gun control laws. Greene supported comments implying that the Parkland shooting was not a real tragedy but a manufactured event, orchestrated to limit Second Amendment rights.

These posts and comments align Greene with the broader network of conspiracists who believe in such false narratives. By amplifying these claims, Greene signaled support for these unfounded allegations, sowing further confusion and distrust among her followers.

Greene has endorsed claims that school shootings involve “crisis actors” — individuals purportedly hired to play the roles of victims and grieving family members to sway public opinion toward gun control. This conspiracy theory is particularly harmful because it undermines the real suffering of survivors and victims’ families and spreads distrust of genuine media coverage and public discourse on gun violence.

For instance, in one Facebook post, Greene expressed support for a claim suggesting that certain school shootings, including Sandy Hook, were planned events and involved paid actors. This rhetoric closely mirrors the rhetoric pushed by other notorious conspiracy theorists who have been discredited for similar claims.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s promotion of conspiracy theories about the Parkland and Sandy Hook school shootings showcases a troubling pattern of behavior that disregards the reality of these tragedies and the pain of survivors and victims’ families. By engaging with “false flag” narratives and endorsing the notion that mass shootings are staged events, Greene has contributed to the spread of harmful misinformation, undermining public trust in factual discourse and exacerbating the suffering of those directly impacted by these devastating events. Her actions reflect a broader trend of utilizing conspiracy theories to further political aims, in this case, resisting any form of gun control legislation.

Source: CNN

Promotion of the California Wildfires “Jewish Space Lasers” Conspiracies

In November 2018, Marjorie Taylor Greene posted a lengthy message on Facebook in which she proposed a conspiracy theory linking the California wildfires to a space laser allegedly controlled by the Rothschilds, a wealthy Jewish banking family often targeted in antisemitic conspiracy theories. Greene’s post suggested that the wildfires, which devastated large parts of California, were not caused by natural events or environmental factors but were deliberately set by a laser beam from space.

Greene’s post implied that the wildfires were part of a plot to clear land for a high-speed rail project and that the Rothschilds were somehow involved in funding the technology or manipulating the situation for profit. The key excerpt from her post stated:

“There are too many coincidences to ignore… I find it very curious that PG&E’s partnership with Solaren on space solar generators starting in 2009…they are beaming the sun’s energy back to Earth… Could that cause a fire? Hmmm, I don’t know. I hope not! That wouldn’t look so good for PG&E, Rothschild Inc., Solaren, or Jerry Brown who sure does seem fond of PG&E.”

In this post, Greene speculated that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), in partnership with Solaren (a company developing space-based solar power), might have accidentally or deliberately started the fires with a beam from space. She suggested that this hypothetical laser could be related to the Rothschilds, linking her post to well-known antisemitic conspiracies that portray Jewish financiers as orchestrating world events for financial gain.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s spread of the “Jewish Space Lasers” conspiracy theory is not only a bizarre example of misinformation but also a dangerous reinforcement of antisemitic tropes. Her willingness to promote such an outlandish and unfounded claim, particularly one that targets Jewish individuals, highlights a broader issue with conspiracy theories gaining traction in political spaces. Greene’s rhetoric continues to raise concerns about the impact of elected officials endorsing fringe and hateful conspiracy theories on public discourse and social cohesion.

Source: Business Insider, AP News

Promotions of Mass Shootings as Staged Events

Marjorie Taylor Greene has consistently engaged with conspiracy theories surrounding mass shootings, casting doubt on their authenticity and fueling baseless claims. In the aftermath of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting—the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, which left 58 dead—conspiracy theories suggesting a “false flag” operation quickly emerged online. Greene embraced these narratives in a 2018 Facebook post, where she questioned whether the shooter acted alone, stating, “I don’t believe [the shooter] pulled this off all by himself.” Her comments aligned with unfounded claims that shadowy operatives were behind the attack, contributing to widespread doubt and misinformation.

“I don’t believe [the shooter] pulled this off all by himself.”

Greene’s engagement in these conspiracies mirrored broader claims that the government or political entities orchestrated the attack to push for stricter gun control laws. Her rhetoric echoed that of conspiracy theorists who frequently question official accounts of mass shootings to promote an agenda of government distrust. By expressing skepticism over the lone gunman theory, Greene lent credence to theories that undermined the severity of the tragedy and promoted false narratives.

The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, also became the subject of conspiracy theories, with claims that the attack—where 49 people were killed—was staged to advance anti-gun legislation. Although Greene did not specifically comment on Pulse, her broader support for “false flag” theories in other contexts aligns her with far-right influencers who have questioned the legitimacy of the event. Greene’s calls for investigations into mass shootings and her endorsement of similar conspiracies elsewhere placed her in a network of figures who dismiss such tragedies as politically motivated stunts.

Similarly, the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were killed, was another mass shooting that conspiracy theorists claimed was staged. While Greene did not directly label the attack as a false flag, her promotion of narratives that cast doubt on the authenticity of mass shootings helped cultivate a culture where such misinformation thrives. Greene’s endorsement of content from conspiracy theorists contributed to spreading these damaging ideas.

Overall, Greene’s promotion of “false flag” narratives reflects a consistent pattern of undermining the authenticity of mass shootings. By repeatedly suggesting that powerful entities are staging these tragedies to influence public opinion and push for gun control, she has drawn widespread criticism. Her rhetoric has been condemned by both sides of the political aisle, as well as by the families of victims, who view her comments as not only insensitive but dangerous. In promoting these baseless theories, Greene continues to play a significant role in the spread of misinformation, deepening public distrust and furthering divisions in the national discourse.

Source: The Washington Post, AP News

Promotion of 2018 Midterm “Stolen Election” Conspiracies

Following the 2018 midterm elections, Marjorie Taylor Greene took to social media to claim that Democrats engaged in widespread voter fraud to “steal” key races, particularly in Georgia and other states. In a November 2018 Facebook post, she wrote:

“So many races are being stolen all over the country because of voter fraud. We are watching it right here in Georgia…It’s happening everywhere.”

Greene’s comments mirrored a broader conservative conspiracy theory alleging illegal tactics like allowing non-citizens to vote or fabricating ballots, though she provided no evidence, and none was confirmed by credible investigations.

Her focus on Georgia was driven by the state’s contentious gubernatorial race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp. While Abrams raised concerns about voter suppression, Greene claimed—again without evidence—that Democrats were committing voter fraud.

In addition to Georgia, Greene targeted results in Arizona and Florida, suggesting that Democrats “stole” key races. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, and Republican Ron DeSantis narrowly defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in Florida’s gubernatorial race. Greene amplified these allegations on social media, citing dubious sources and unverified claims about “found” ballots, aligning with misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining confidence in the elections.

Despite state election officials debunking these fraud claims, Greene’s rhetoric echoed the growing “Stop the Steal” movement, which gained greater prominence after the 2020 presidential election but had roots in the 2018 midterms. Through videos and social media posts, Greene repeatedly pushed these unsubstantiated claims, contributing to a larger effort to delegitimize the election results and normalize the false narrative of stolen elections.

By promoting these baseless fraud allegations, Greene played a key role in spreading conspiracy theories that fueled mistrust in the U.S. electoral system, reinforcing misinformation that continues to shape the political landscape.

Source: Newsweek

Hillary Clinton Body Count Conspiracy

Marjorie Taylor Greene has been a vocal proponent of conspiracy theories alleging that Hillary Clinton is a murderer—a narrative built on a series of debunked claims suggesting Clinton has orchestrated the deaths of political enemies and critics. Greene has repeatedly echoed these conspiracies in her social media posts and public statements, often using inflammatory language to imply that the former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate is responsible for multiple murders.

A central theme in Greene’s promotion of this narrative is the infamous “Clinton Body Count” conspiracy theory. This baseless and widely discredited theory suggests that Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have orchestrated the deaths of numerous associates, political opponents, and critics to cover up scandals or suppress damaging information. In a 2018 Facebook post, Greene referenced the “Clinton Body Count,” insinuating that several deaths connected to the Clintons were not coincidental and hinting at a sinister conspiracy without providing any credible evidence. Fact-checkers have consistently debunked this theory, noting that the deaths cited often have clear, unrelated explanations.

Another conspiracy theory Greene has pushed involves the tragic death of Seth Rich, a Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer murdered in Washington, D.C., in 2016. Despite law enforcement concluding that Rich’s death was a result of a botched robbery, conspiracy theorists have falsely claimed that he was murdered on orders from the Clintons for allegedly leaking DNC emails to WikiLeaks. Greene amplified these unfounded claims on social media, suggesting that Rich’s death was part of a broader scheme to silence dissent within the Democratic Party. By sharing videos and articles that promoted this conspiracy, Greene furthered the baseless notion that the Clintons were involved in Rich’s murder, despite his family’s condemnation of these theories as hurtful and false.

Greene has also insinuated that Hillary Clinton played a role in the death of Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender who died in jail in August 2019 under controversial circumstances. Although Epstein’s death was officially ruled a suicide by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, conspiracy theories emerged, suggesting he was murdered to protect powerful individuals. Greene repeated the baseless claim that Clinton orchestrated Epstein’s death to prevent him from revealing damaging information about her and her husband. In social media posts, Greene suggested the Clintons had a motive for wanting Epstein silenced, perpetuating a conspiracy theory that multiple investigations have thoroughly debunked.

In addition to these theories, Greene has also promoted conspiracy narratives around the 2012 Benghazi attack, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. Some conspiracy theorists allege that Hillary Clinton, who was Secretary of State at the time, orchestrated or allowed the attack to silence individuals who threatened her political ambitions. Despite multiple investigations, including those led by Republican-controlled congressional committees, finding no evidence of such a plot, Greene has continued to suggest otherwise. In a 2018 video, she called for Clinton to be investigated for her role in Benghazi, insinuating a cover-up involving murder without presenting any supporting evidence.

Greene’s persistent promotion of conspiracy theories portraying Hillary Clinton as a murderer is part of a broader pattern of engaging with extreme and unfounded narratives. Despite these claims being debunked by credible sources and investigations, Greene’s endorsements have significantly contributed to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in political opponents. By repeatedly amplifying such baseless allegations, Greene perpetuates toxic political discourse that undermines fact-based debate and democratic processes in the United States.

Source: The New York Times, AP News

COVID-19 “Hoax” and Anti-Vaccine Rhetoric

Marjorie Taylor Greene has been a prominent figure in spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19, often downplaying its severity and promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric. Over the past few years, she has leveraged her social media platforms and public appearances to question the legitimacy of the pandemic, criticize public health measures, and spread falsehoods about vaccines.

Throughout the pandemic, Greene consistently downplayed COVID-19’s seriousness, referring to it as the “Chinese virus” and suggesting the crisis was exaggerated for political gain. In an April 2020 Facebook Live video, she claimed, “Democrats are trying to use COVID as a way to steal the election,” implying the virus was being used as a political weapon against Donald Trump. She further suggested that COVID-19 was a “scamdemic,” a term used by conspiracy theorists to claim the pandemic was manufactured or its impact greatly exaggerated. Greene accused the media and government officials of fear-mongering and dismissed safety measures, such as masks and lockdowns, as tools of government control rather than necessary public health responses.

“Democrats are trying to use COVID as a way to steal the election!”

One of Greene’s most controversial moments came when she compared COVID-19 mask mandates and vaccination requirements to the Holocaust. In May 2021, she tweeted that mask-wearing and vaccine mandates were akin to the Nazis forcing Jews to wear gold stars, stating, “Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear a gold star.” These comments were widely condemned, including by members of her own party. Although Greene later issued an apology after visiting the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, she continued to frame mask and vaccine mandates as “tyranny” and maintained her opposition to vaccination efforts, framing them as violations of personal freedom.

Greene has been a vocal proponent of vaccine hesitancy, frequently spreading misinformation about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. She has falsely suggested that the vaccines are experimental, unsafe, and have caused thousands of deaths—claims that have been debunked by health experts. In a 2021 social media video, she falsely claimed that vaccinated people were the ones getting sick and dying, directly contradicting public health data showing that vaccines significantly reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Greene has also amplified content from anti-vaccine influencers, further spreading misinformation among her followers.

In addition to her anti-vaccine stance, Greene has promoted alternative treatments like ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug not proven effective against COVID-19. Despite warnings from health authorities about potential side effects and the lack of evidence for its efficacy, Greene continued advocating for it, suggesting that the government and “Big Pharma” were conspiring to suppress “natural” treatments in favor of vaccines. She has also pushed the narrative that “natural immunity” from prior infection is superior to vaccination, a claim contradicted by scientific consensus, which shows that vaccines provide more reliable and safer immunity without the risks of severe disease.

Greene has further spread conspiratorial narratives suggesting COVID-19 was a “bioweapon” released by China, either intentionally or accidentally, to destabilize global powers, particularly the United States. Referring to the virus as the “Chinese Virus” and “Chinese Bioweapon,” she fed into xenophobic conspiracy theories and implied that the pandemic was the result of a deliberate plot, often using terms like “plandemic.” Though she has not explicitly stated the virus was created in a lab, her language and allusions to these theories have fueled speculation among her followers.

She has also questioned the accuracy of COVID-19 case numbers and death rates, suggesting without evidence that they were inflated to create fear and justify government control. Greene has claimed that hospitals were exaggerating death counts to receive more funding, contradicting studies showing that COVID-19 deaths were likely underreported due to overwhelmed health systems. Her assertions have contributed to undermining public trust in health data and the seriousness of the pandemic.

Beyond her COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation, Greene has positioned herself as a staunch opponent of vaccine mandates, advocating for civil disobedience against public health measures. She has labeled mandates as “communism” and equated them to totalitarian control, rallying her supporters to resist them. Greene has also spoken at anti-vaccine rallies, reinforcing her stance against public health efforts and framing vaccination as a matter of personal choice, accusing the government of infringing on personal liberties by encouraging or mandating vaccines.

Greene’s promotion of COVID-19 “hoax” claims and anti-vaccine rhetoric has been consistent and vocal. By spreading misinformation, conspiracy theories, and false narratives about the pandemic and vaccines, she has contributed to the politicization of public health efforts and deepened divisions around COVID-19 responses in the United States. Her amplification of baseless claims and undermining of scientific consensus has played a significant role in the broader misinformation ecosystem, complicating efforts to control the pandemic and protect public health.

Source: Associated Press

“The Storm” and Mass Arrests of Democrats

Marjorie Taylor Greene has been a vocal advocate of QAnon conspiracy theories, particularly the concept of “The Storm,” which claims former President Trump is secretly fighting a global cabal of elites. According to QAnon, this cabal includes prominent Democrats, government officials, and Hollywood celebrities involved in satanic rituals and child trafficking. Followers of this theory believe “The Storm” will bring mass arrests, military tribunals, and executions of these figures.

Before her congressional run, Greene posted extensively about these ideas, openly supporting QAnon. In a 2017 Facebook video, she stated, “There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it,” fully aligning with QAnon rhetoric. Throughout 2018 to 2020, Greene continued promoting these theories on social media, frequently referencing mass arrests of figures like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. In one post, she endorsed a comment suggesting, “Stage is being set. Players are being put in place. We must be patient,” further fueling conspiracy narratives.

Greene also shared and liked content from prominent QAnon influencers, reinforcing the belief among her followers that mass arrests were imminent. She often called for extreme punitive measures, such as in a 2019 Facebook post where she liked a comment suggesting, “A bullet to the head would be quicker” regarding Pelosi.

In public appearances, Greene echoed QAnon’s apocalyptic vision, suggesting patriots were working behind the scenes to bring down the “deep state” and calling for declassification of government documents to reveal corruption. Her insistence on exposing this hidden corruption reinforced the narrative that “The Storm” would soon unfold.

Greene’s persistent promotion of “The Storm” and its call for mass arrests reflects her deep connection to the QAnon movement, a dangerous conspiracy theory that has incited real-world violence and undermines democratic institutions. Through her rhetoric and social media activity, Greene has played a significant role in amplifying these baseless claims.

Source: ABC News

Conclusion

When I first set out to write this article, I thought it would be a straightforward task—a brief summary to encapsulate the controversies surrounding Marjorie Taylor Greene’s history of promoting conspiracy theories. Greene, a firebrand politician known for her provocative statements, seemed like a subject ripe for a quick overview. However, as I delved deeper into her background, the scope of her beliefs and rhetoric became overwhelmingly clear. I found myself submerged in a labyrinth of conspiratorial thinking that spans everything from wild accusations about mass shootings being staged, to bizarre notions involving “Jewish space lasers,” to fevered imaginings of imminent mass arrests of prominent Democrats. What initially appeared to be just a series of isolated, reckless remarks turned out to be a pattern—a consistent thread woven through her public career, revealing a worldview steeped in paranoia, extremism, and disinformation.

It is not an overstatement to say that Greene’s embrace of conspiracy theories has been astonishingly broad. From QAnon to 9/11 denialism, from promoting the “Pizzagate” conspiracy to claiming COVID-19 is a “hoax,” her rhetoric has been a steady drumbeat of misinformation that both shocks and alarms. For anyone trying to make sense of the political landscape today, Greene’s trajectory is a stark reminder of how fringe beliefs can make their way from the shadows of the internet to the halls of Congress. Greene’s ability to push these conspiracy theories with relative impunity illustrates a troubling shift in political discourse—one where facts are malleable, and where fear and suspicion can become potent tools of influence and power.

The most disturbing realization in examining Greene’s history is not just the sheer variety of the conspiracy theories she has promoted, but the consistency and conviction with which she has done so. It is one thing for a politician to occasionally flirt with controversial views to appease a particular base; it is quite another to systematically endorse and amplify them as central to one’s political identity. Greene has not merely dabbled in conspiracy theories—she has made them a cornerstone of her platform, often positioning herself as a crusader against a dark and hidden enemy, be it the “deep state,” the Democratic Party, or other imagined adversaries.

Her support for QAnon alone is telling. By endorsing the idea of “The Storm” and mass arrests of Democrats, Greene has shown a clear willingness to propagate a narrative that is not only devoid of evidence but also inherently dangerous. This is a movement that has inspired real-world violence, contributed to the radicalization of individuals, and continues to spread its malignant influence online and off. Greene’s statements and actions, whether intentional or not, serve to legitimize these views among her followers, helping them gain a foothold in mainstream political discourse. She has often cloaked these endorsements in the language of patriotism and justice, making them more palatable to those who might be on the fence, and lending a veneer of credibility to ideas that are, in reality, profoundly unhinged.

Then there is her rhetoric around mass shootings like Parkland and Sandy Hook, where she has amplified baseless claims that these horrific events were “false flags” or staged by gun control advocates. The level of callousness in promoting these conspiracy theories cannot be overstated. It not only retraumatizes the survivors and families who have lost loved ones but also distorts public understanding of tragic events in ways that prevent meaningful dialogue and solutions. Similarly, her baseless assertion that the 2018 midterms were “stolen” by Democrats serves to undermine democratic processes and sow distrust in electoral outcomes, contributing to a larger campaign of disinformation that erodes public confidence in democratic institutions.

The idea of the California wildfires being caused by “Jewish space lasers,” as absurd as it sounds, is another example that underscores how Greene’s rhetoric is not just politically reckless but also dangerously inflammatory. This kind of antisemitic conspiracy theory plays into age-old prejudices, endangering real lives and perpetuating hate. Yet, Greene seems either oblivious to the impact of her words or, more troublingly, indifferent to it.

Furthermore, Greene’s spread of COVID-19 “hoax” and anti-vaccine rhetoric has demonstrated how her conspiracy-laden worldview extends to public health, posing a direct threat to collective efforts to combat a deadly pandemic. This goes beyond mere skepticism—it is active disinformation that has undoubtedly contributed to vaccine hesitancy, exacerbating a public health crisis. In all these cases, Greene’s rhetoric does more than simply express an opinion; it foments division, creates scapegoats, and deepens the ideological chasm that is already tearing at the fabric of American society.

As I continued to dig into Marjorie Taylor Greene’s past, what became evident was not just a pattern of reckless statements, but a deliberate and consistent strategy to amplify some of the most dangerous and unfounded conspiracy theories out there. Each one of these conspiracies, on its own, might be dismissed by some as an outlandish statement by a fringe politician seeking attention. But taken together, they form a comprehensive picture of someone who is not just dabbling in conspiracies but actively using them to cultivate a base, mobilize supporters, and wield power.

The broader implication of Greene’s rhetoric is the normalization of extremism in the political mainstream. She represents a growing faction within American politics where facts are dismissed, and conspiracies are seen as legitimate political discourse. This is not just about one politician’s statements but about the culture of misinformation that is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of certain political movements. Greene is a symbol of this shift—a testament to how quickly and thoroughly misinformation can be weaponized in the digital age.

In reflecting on Greene’s extensive history of conspiracy mongering, I am left with a sense of alarm and urgency. What began as an attempt to outline her most egregious conspiracies turned into an exploration of the depths to which misinformation can sink when wielded by someone in a position of influence. Greene’s rhetoric is not just problematic because of its content but because of its implications for the health of democratic discourse. When an elected representative makes conspiracy theories a staple of their public persona, it becomes not just a problem of perception but a genuine crisis of governance.

Ultimately, the point of this article was not to take a political stance but to highlight how dangerous and pervasive Greene’s rhetoric has been. It is crucial to call out hypocrisy, particularly when it involves someone who has consistently trafficked in dangerous and debunked theories. If we are to have any hope of restoring a semblance of reason and truth to our political discourse, we must be willing to confront these conspiracies head-on, regardless of where they originate or who perpetuates them. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s history is not just a cautionary tale but a wake-up call to the realities of modern misinformation. It is a reminder that truth still matters, and it’s up to all of us to uphold it.

No War is Civil

The NDAA and America’s Foreign Policy in Syria

I cannot deny having a personal bias for the people of Syria. I’ve seen the wreckage first hand in a way I wish I could explain further. I’m probably responsible for 60% of the views of HBO’s Cries from Syria since its release in 2017. I’ve played as large a part as possible in multiple charities trying desperately to help Syrian civilians, namely one whose aim is to build mobile hospitals in Syria’s most war-torn areas. I’ve sponsored a young girl there named Amira for seven years – a girl who I’ve watched grow into an incredibly strong young woman who I have no doubt will someday spread revolutionary ideals throughout her country – who thankfully has remained safe after all of these years of war and bloodshed in Syria. Amid all of this I knew to classify this as an opinion piece, because of my inability to remain unbiased on the subject.

Today, the U.S. Senate passed the NDAA, or National Defense Authorization Act, a yearly budget bill relating to national defense, the military, foreign aid, black budget money, intelligence, etc… This legislation was passed by the so-called “Do Nothing Democrats” last week, and is expected to receive the President’s signature within the week. This year’s NDAA contains a measure several years in the making: The Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act. A piece of legislation that provides for sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as members of his regime.

The bill’s history is an interesting one. The legislation shares its namesake with the pseudonym of a Syrian police officer who fled the country in 2016, smuggling with him a multitude of photographic evidence – some 50,000 images – of President Assad’s regime’s egregious and downright evil crimes against humanity. Spanning from torture to mass killing, the images are gruesome and not for the faint of heart, but many are available to the public. Caesar testified before Congress in disguise and presented the evidence he risked his own life, and the lives of his family, to smuggle out his homeland.

Congress, though slowly, began drafting a bill that became part of the NDAA. A provision that not only imposes sanctions and censures against President Assad and members of his regime, but also imposes consequences against foreign actors such as Iran and Russia, have had boots on the ground in Syria for almost a decade attempting to squash revolutionary uprisings against Assad. Doing so using not just guerrilla tactics, but going as far as to drop illegal dirty bombs on civilian centers such as Huraytan, a town northwest of Aleppo, where bombs were dropped on hospitals and schools.

Child pulled from the rubble of a school by civilian volunteer medical force known as The White Helmets after Russian airstrikes north of Aleppo.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “The measure establishes as U.S. policy the use of ‘diplomatic and coercive means…to compel the government of Bashar al-Assad to halt its murderous attacks on the Syrian people and to support a transition to a government in Syria that respects the rule of law, human rights and peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.'”

The bill also adds measures against civilian or non-governmental militias, such as Hezbollah, which has also come to the aid of Assad’s regime, and even targets financial centers. Administration officials are now investigating whether or not the Central Bank of Syria has been engaging in money laundering. If this is found to be true, which it likely is, the U.S. will impose penalties on the institution, though those penalties aren’t very well outlined in what is publicly available from bill at the moment.

The bill goes further in restricting the transfer of funds, technology, and property, and bans any and all violators from entry in the U.S. in the future.

The bill contains language that will allow President Trump, or future presidents to lift the sanctions in the future if Assad and his allies produce evidence that their human rights violations have come to an end. They will have to prove they are no longer targeting civilians, restricting international humanitarian assistance, and of course, they must prove they are no longer using chemical weapons on their own citizens, meaning both civilians and rebel army militants.

With this bill, the United States severely escalates sanctions, joining its Western allies in targeting Assad and his regime. The U.S. has had sanctions on Syria since 2005, and those sanctions increased drastically under President Barack Obama, namely after 2011, when what was a series of massive civilian protests turned into bloodshed and civil war. You can find a list of sanctions against Syria dating back to 2004 here from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

With such a history of sanctions, however, one must wonder just how effective they are. One must also wonder how you sanction a government, but not its civilians. Also, why the sudden change? This comes months after President Donald Trump ordered the removal of U.S. troops in Northern Syria, claiming the war against ISIL was over in the region. As if to say, “Thank you for your help, and now you’re on your own to fight your government, Islamist rebel groups, ISIL, oh, and Turkey.” As anyone familiar with the situation remembers, only three days later, Turkish air strikes began in the border towns of Turkey and Syria – towns the United States was helping to protect just days before. The air strikes resulted in the death of 70 Syrian citizens, and the displacement of over 300,000. During the military act, both Turkish forces and Turkish-allied Syrian forces were accused of committing atrocious war crimes, including summary killings and unlawful acts, including, but not limited to, public executions and even public rape.

According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who I’ve written about recently in timeline of the prosecution of Michael Flynn found here – was to expel Syrian Democratic Forces – a rebel army mostly made up of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) – who is viewed as a terrorist group by the Turkish government due to its ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party. The SDF is considered an ally of the United States and Western allies, though, namely in its war against ISIL, as the SDF has helped the United States in a monumental fashion in the removal of ISIL from the region.

The flag of the Syrian Democratic Forces. (Wikipedia Commons)

However, the problem with war is that it’s complicated. It’s unfortunately not just made up of good guys and bad guys like the comics. It’s not made up of clear cut good people, or clear cut evil people, or even demon with the heart of gold anti-heroes who don’t get along with the other good guys, but fight for what’s right in the end. War, just like life, is rarely black and white. By the previous couple of paragraphs, it would appear that there is a narrative to present the Turkish government as awful people, and their armies as the evil invading scourge that wants to watch the world burn. On the contrary.

The Turks were the first to condemn the actions of Bashar al-Assad, who cracked down on peaceful protests in 2011, which led to the exorbitant bloodshed and murder of unarmed Syrian citizens, and kicked off one of the longest civil wars in recent world history. Turkey went as far as to create safe zones for Syrian refugees fleeing the violence, and even backed and funded the Free Syrian Army, which was the first organized revolutionary group to stand up to Assad’s tyrannical regime.

Turkey is responsible for a lot of the military funding toward the revolutionary groups working against Assad. Yet, what is the Free Syrian Army today? It’s a group that is made up of primarily radicalized Islamists, probably partially because of their relationship with ISIL in their growing phase. Now they’re a group backed by the Turks, and are taking part in the public rape and murder of North-Eastern Syrians, who are merely fighting for statehood.

And what is the U.S. to say one way or the other? During the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, we trained soldiers to fight for their independence, and those soldiers went on to become Al Qeada. We fought with the best intentions against South American drug lords, but all we did was make a mess out of Central America by cutting off their Caribbean pipeline, splitting one cartel into seven. We made a mess out of Iraq and Afghanistan and ultimately created ISIL in the first place, while giving radical groups free-reign in Iraq after removing their strongest opposition. Maybe the same might be the case in Syria, creating another militant group aligned to a particular world religion, thus creating another Bosnia, where people of three separate religions are killing one another, but we think of creative names for them so that the general public doesn’t realize religion does nothing but create war.

I wish I had the answers. I hope against hope that what this year’s NDAA was meant to accomplish will make change. I hope every night for the citizens of Syria, trapped in a civil war that seems to be going in three directions between the government, the Islamist revolutionaries, and the Kurds. A civil war that is little more than a proxy battle between foreign governments inside of a country with convenient resources, or adjacent to said resources. Above any of this, I just hope that a young woman named Amira, who I love with all my heart, grows up and holds onto her idealism, and doesn’t allow herself to get swept into a war in one way, or the other, or the other. I hope she is on the cover of TIME someday, as she should be, for uniting Syria, and establishing a democratic state in the region, aligned with U.S. and other Western forces, and never wavers in the face of adversity, as she doesn’t now, even when asked why her grades are slipping amid bloodshed happening outside her front door. At the risk of this being another 20,000 word timeline, I’ll stop this here, but I hope you learned something about the black and white politics we’re presented in the United States every day, and I hope Amira is the next revolutionary that hipsters wear on T-shirts without ever actually knowing her politics or background, just like Ernesto Guevara.

For more information on Syria and what you can do to help trapped civilians there, please visit https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/Sami4syria or text Sami4Syria to 71777. These poor people are caught up in a near decades long civil war they had nothing to do with, and deserve our help, as the poorest among us are living better than any of them. Please consider my request. Even a dollar helps.

Thank you for reading, and I hope this wasn’t as much of a slog as my normal articles.