Trump Supporter Rage Simmered on Social Media Before D.C. Violence
- Users turn to Parler and Gab amid Twitter, Facebook crackdown
- Violent chatter soared as Trump’s chances to upend vote dimmed
A demonstrator carries a "Trump 2020" flag outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
In some of the more obscure corners of the internet, the calls for violence and revolution have been consistent among what appeared to be a subset of President Donald Trump’s supporters in the months since he lost re-election.
But in recent days, as Trump’s attempts to delegitimize the election and remain in office have continually failed, the violent rhetoric sharply increased. It also blossomed in the far-more-mainstream Facebook, hidden away in private far-right groups with names like “Joe Biden is not my president.”