How Extremists Like The Proud Boys Weaponize Irony And Memes To Spread Hate Some extremists weaponize irony and absurdity as a method for recruiting new members and avoiding criticism. Such tactics can mask the danger that extremists pose, experts say.Heard onToggle more optionsOn a recent episode of his livestreamed show, the 22-year-old extremist Nick Fuentes repeated a formula that has won him a following with some of the youngest members of the far right. He went on an extended, violent and misogynistic rant, only to turn to the camera and add with a smirk, "Just joking!" In this case,...…How Extremists Like The Proud Boys Weaponize Irony And Memes To Spread Hate Some extremists weaponize irony and absurdity as a method for recruiting new members and avoiding criticism. Such tactics can mask the danger that extremists pose, experts say.Heard onToggle more optionsOn a recent episode of his livestreamed show, the 22-year-old extremist Nick Fuentes repeated a formula that has won him a following with some of the youngest members of the far right. He went on an extended, violent and misogynistic rant, only to turn to the camera and add with a smirk, "Just joking!" In this case,...WW…

Proud Boys' Violent Past In Spotlight In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Conspiracy Case Leading members of the far-right gang known as the Proud Boys are facing federal conspiracy charges in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ahead of the riot, members of the group called for "war."Heard onToggle more optionsEditor's Note: This story includes explicit language. In June 2018, a member of the Proud Boys punched a counterprotester in the jaw, shoved him into the pavement in Portland, Ore., and sent him to the hospital with a serious concussion. The counterprotester had used a metal baton to strike...…Proud Boys' Violent Past In Spotlight In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Conspiracy Case Leading members of the far-right gang known as the Proud Boys are facing federal conspiracy charges in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ahead of the riot, members of the group called for "war."Heard onToggle more optionsEditor's Note: This story includes explicit language. In June 2018, a member of the Proud Boys punched a counterprotester in the jaw, shoved him into the pavement in Portland, Ore., and sent him to the hospital with a serious concussion. The counterprotester had used a metal baton to strike...WW…

College Student Charged In Capitol Riot Should Be Released, Federal Judge Rules A federal judge ruled Wednesday that 22-year-old Christian Secor, charged in connection to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, should be released but must surrender access to firearms and other conditions.In federal court on Wednesday, a judge heard arguments about whether a 22-year-old UCLA student, who took inspiration from far-right extremists, should be released from federal custody pending his criminal trial for allegedly storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Federal judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee and a...…College Student Charged In Capitol Riot Should Be Released, Federal Judge Rules A federal judge ruled Wednesday that 22-year-old Christian Secor, charged in connection to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, should be released but must surrender access to firearms and other conditions.In federal court on Wednesday, a judge heard arguments about whether a 22-year-old UCLA student, who took inspiration from far-right extremists, should be released from federal custody pending his criminal trial for allegedly storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Federal judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee and a...WW…

SEC Brought Fewest Insider Trading Enforcement Cases In Decades In 2019 Kodak and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., are facing high-profile insider trading investigations, but data show the Securities and Exchange Commission pursued far fewer insider trading cases last year.Heard onToggle more optionsThe government agency responsible for policing Wall Street brought the fewest number of insider trading cases in decades, according to the most recent available data. That decline came just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Securities and Exchange Commission now warns that the pandemic has created...…SEC Brought Fewest Insider Trading Enforcement Cases In Decades In 2019 Kodak and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., are facing high-profile insider trading investigations, but data show the Securities and Exchange Commission pursued far fewer insider trading cases last year.Heard onToggle more optionsThe government agency responsible for policing Wall Street brought the fewest number of insider trading cases in decades, according to the most recent available data. That decline came just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Securities and Exchange Commission now warns that the pandemic has created...WW…

UCLA Student Christian Secor Charged In Capitol Riot Known For Extremist Views A college student charged in the U.S. Capitol riot was known on campus for his far-right views, which were nurtured by an online extremist. How do colleges confront extremism in their midst?Heard onToggle more optionsFor nearly a year, UCLA students said, they raised the alarm about one of their classmates. On Twitter, classmate Christian Secor attacked women and minorities, they said, and embraced the ideology of a far-right extremist. On campus, he pushed a student Republicans group toward extreme positions...…UCLA Student Christian Secor Charged In Capitol Riot Known For Extremist Views A college student charged in the U.S. Capitol riot was known on campus for his far-right views, which were nurtured by an online extremist. How do colleges confront extremism in their midst?Heard onToggle more optionsFor nearly a year, UCLA students said, they raised the alarm about one of their classmates. On Twitter, classmate Christian Secor attacked women and minorities, they said, and embraced the ideology of a far-right extremist. On campus, he pushed a student Republicans group toward extreme positions...WW…

Military Veterans Overrepresented In Those Charged In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Amid rising concern over domestic extremism, an NPR analysis found military veterans were overrepresented in those charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol when compared to the general population.Heard onToggle more optionsAs a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and aides hid wherever they could, waiting for the military and police to arrive. But many of those who stormed the Capitol were military veterans themselves, who had once sworn to protect the Constitution. In fact, an NPR analysis...…Military Veterans Overrepresented In Those Charged In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Amid rising concern over domestic extremism, an NPR analysis found military veterans were overrepresented in those charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol when compared to the general population.Heard onToggle more optionsAs a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and aides hid wherever they could, waiting for the military and police to arrive. But many of those who stormed the Capitol were military veterans themselves, who had once sworn to protect the Constitution. In fact, an NPR analysis...WW…

Fox News Stays Silent On Stars' Incendiary Rhetoric Following Capitol Riot Many Fox News hosts, commentators and guests helped stoke the pro-Trump protests that became an assault on Congress. Among those influenced was Ashli Babbitt, who died while storming the Capitol.Heard onToggle more optionsUpdated 12:48 p.m. Among some prominent Republicans, inside social media companies and in other major institutions throughout society, a reckoning has erupted following the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Not at the Fox News Channel, however. On the contrary, the network that has...…Fox News Stays Silent On Stars' Incendiary Rhetoric Following Capitol Riot Many Fox News hosts, commentators and guests helped stoke the pro-Trump protests that became an assault on Congress. Among those influenced was Ashli Babbitt, who died while storming the Capitol.Heard onToggle more optionsUpdated 12:48 p.m. Among some prominent Republicans, inside social media companies and in other major institutions throughout society, a reckoning has erupted following the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Not at the Fox News Channel, however. On the contrary, the network that has...WW…

Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine News Raises Questions About CEO's Stock Sales Pfizer's CEO sold $5.6 million worth of stock on Monday. The company says the stock sale was made as part of a preset plan. But NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan.Toggle more optionsThe chairman and CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, sold $5.6 million worth of stock in the pharmaceutical company on Monday. The sale took place on the same day Pfizer that its experimental coronavirus vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective. The company's stock soared on the news. Bourla sold...…Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine News Raises Questions About CEO's Stock Sales Pfizer's CEO sold $5.6 million worth of stock on Monday. The company says the stock sale was made as part of a preset plan. But NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan.Toggle more optionsThe chairman and CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, sold $5.6 million worth of stock in the pharmaceutical company on Monday. The sale took place on the same day Pfizer that its experimental coronavirus vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective. The company's stock soared on the news. Bourla sold...WW…

NPR Investigation: Web Of 'Wellness' Doctors Push Unproven COVID-19 Treatment An NPR investigation has identified a web of more than 30 medical practices and compounding pharmacies in over a dozen states that have made claims about thymosin alpha-1 online and on social media.Heard onToggle more optionsJust as the coronavirus pandemic began its rapid and deadly spread across the United States, a well-known doctor named Dominique Fradin-Read told thousands of viewers tuning into an video that she had an answer: "one of the best ways to prevent and fight COVID-19." It was April 2020. The virus...…NPR Investigation: Web Of 'Wellness' Doctors Push Unproven COVID-19 Treatment An NPR investigation has identified a web of more than 30 medical practices and compounding pharmacies in over a dozen states that have made claims about thymosin alpha-1 online and on social media.Heard onToggle more optionsJust as the coronavirus pandemic began its rapid and deadly spread across the United States, a well-known doctor named Dominique Fradin-Read told thousands of viewers tuning into an video that she had an answer: "one of the best ways to prevent and fight COVID-19." It was April 2020. The virus...WW…

Why Are Moderna Executives Selling Stock While Developing A Coronavirus Vaccine? Moderna is currently developing a promising, yet still unproven, vaccine against the coronavirus. But Moderna executives have already sold tens of millions of dollars worth of stock in the company.Heard onToggle more optionsWhether the coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna succeeds or not, executives at the small biotech company have already made tens of millions of dollars by cashing in their stock. An NPR examination of official company disclosures has revealed additional irregularities and potential...…Why Are Moderna Executives Selling Stock While Developing A Coronavirus Vaccine? Moderna is currently developing a promising, yet still unproven, vaccine against the coronavirus. But Moderna executives have already sold tens of millions of dollars worth of stock in the company.Heard onToggle more optionsWhether the coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna succeeds or not, executives at the small biotech company have already made tens of millions of dollars by cashing in their stock. An NPR examination of official company disclosures has revealed additional irregularities and potential...WW…