this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2024
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393
Revealed: The operators behind four major neo-Nazi X accounts (www.texasobserver.org)
submitted 3 weeks ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
36 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Summary

Under Elon Musk, X (formerly Twitter) has become a hub for white supremacist content due to reduced moderation.

A Texas Observer investigation identified four neo-Nazi account operators, tied to Texas, New Hampshire, and Virginia, whose content has amassed 500,000 followers and millions of views.

Despite sharing antisemitic and pro-Nazi rhetoric, some accounts received responses from Musk and benefited from ad revenue and verification.

Public figures, including politicians, follow these accounts. Employers and the Navy are investigating the individuals, raising questions about accountability and platform policies.

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[–] MicroWave@lemmy.world 120 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Through reviewing posts on X, web archives, leak databases, and other social media profiles, the Observer identified the following individuals as the anonymous operators of neo-Nazi X accounts, which had a collective 500,000 followers at their peak:

Cyan Cruz (40 years old): Marketing professional who has lived in Austin and Amarillo, Texas, operating the X account TheOfficial1984.

Michael Gramer (42 years old): Retired mechanical engineer who has lived in New Hampshire, claimed to own a house in Galveston, Texas, and spent time in Dallas, operating the X account 9mm_SMG.

Robert “Bobby” Thorne (35 years old): Vice president at JP Morgan Chase in Plano, Texas, operating the account Noble1945 and previously Noble_x_x_.

John Anthony Provenzano (30 years old): Lives in Virginia, works at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, and operates the X account utism_ (formerly JohnnyBullzeye).

[–] 18_24_61_b_17_17_4@lemmy.world 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Think any of them will get fired or face legal issues for this? Pretty sure the naval one will have a bad time.

[–] formergijoe@lemmy.world 72 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The guy working the naval shipyard might get got if he's part of a Nazi club. SF86 is a questionnaire required for a security clearance. Section 29 asks if you've committed an act of terror or are associated with groups dedicated to restricting constitutional rights of citizens or overthrowing the government.

If nothing else, lying on a federal form is a federal crime.

[–] scsi@lemm.ee 35 points 3 weeks ago

When asked about Provenzano’s employment and apparent posts on X, a public affairs officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head provided the following statement: “The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for extremist conduct and takes all allegations of personnel involvement in extremist groups seriously. These allegations are under investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

...

Provenzano did not respond to requests for comment sent to his email or X account. Less than a week after the Navy provided comment for this story, the utism_ account was deleted.

[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 33 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

If this story gets widespread and sustained attention I bet the JP Morgan VP is done for. Not that they have a problem with that sort of thing if he had kept it quiet, but having it come out could cost them some money and he's not important enough for that.

[–] scsi@lemm.ee 34 points 3 weeks ago

In response to a request for comment from the Observer, Michaela Ross, vice president of media relations and executive communications with JP Morgan Chase, responded via email: “The employee in question is on leave while we complete our investigation. We do not tolerate hate speech of any kind.”

[–] Badeendje@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago

The Naval warfare centre guy and JP Morgan chase guy for sure. Especially if people shine some more light on this and bring it to the attention of their employers.

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 weeks ago

You gotta love it that someone with the last name "Cruz" is a neo nazi wannabe

[–] 18_24_61_b_17_17_4@lemmy.world 104 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

That was an unbelievably thorough article. I had forgotten what real journalism looked like.

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 41 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The Texas Observer is maybe the best paper in the State.

[–] QuantumSparkles@sh.itjust.works 11 points 3 weeks ago

I’m always glad to see fellow Texans who give a shit, this election’s voting map was even more depressing than I expected. I’ll have to keep an eye on this paper

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

I hope you Texans subscribe if you can afford to.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 20 points 3 weeks ago

Credit where due. Nice work.

[–] 18_24_61_b_17_17_4@lemmy.world 35 points 3 weeks ago

These accounts have drawn the attention of conservative commentators, activists, and even elected officials. The X account belonging to Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky follows three of the four neo-Nazi accounts, while the account belonging to GOP Arizona state Senator Wendy Rogers follows two. The account belonging to Sebastian Gorka, former and future deputy assistant to Donald Trump, follows 9mm_smg, and the account belonging to Chuck DeVore, an executive at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, has retweeted one of 9mm_smg’s posts.

[–] Infynis@midwest.social 34 points 3 weeks ago

I'll give you one more for free: Elon Musk

[–] islands@lemmy.cafe 16 points 3 weeks ago

If you want to spew fascist talking points at least have the courage to do it openly. Deal with the social consequences instead of hiding like cowards. At least these four can't hide behind their digital white hoods anymore. Expose them all.

[–] nimble@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 2 weeks ago

Now this is some real fucking journalism. 👏👏👏

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 10 points 2 weeks ago

Hopefully these people do not have jobs much longer. I can't imagine JP Morgan wants to be seen as having a neo Nazi as one of their VPs.

[–] littlewonder@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

More exposure of accounts like this, please.