Right-Wing Influencers Spread Disinformation After Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman's Assassination

Strategic Insights -

Following the tragic assassination of Democratic House leader Melissa Hortman, right-wing influencers like Collin Rugg and Mike Cernovich circulated baseless conspiracy theories, misrepresenting the facts surrounding the MinnesotaCare vote and the suspect's connections to Governor Tim Walz. The disinformation campaign was fueled by the Murdoch media machine and prominent figures like Elon Musk, who amplified the false narrative. Despite the contradictions in their claims, the influencers' posts were widely shared, revealing a disturbing trend of using national crises for profit and spreading hate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Right-wing influencers Collin Rugg and Mike Cernovich spread conspiracy theories following Melissa Hortman's assassination, misrepresenting the MinnesotaCare vote and suspect Vance Luther Boelter's connections to Governor Tim Walz.
  • Boelter was appointed to the Workforce Development Council by Governor Mark Dayton, not Tim Walz, as a volunteer, not a political appointee.
  • The suspect's "hit list" comprised Minnesotans who were outspoken in favor of abortion rights, not individuals who supported Governor Walz's policies.
  • Elon Musk, with over 143 million followers on X, quote-tweeted a post falsely alleging Hortman was killed by "the left" and added that the far left is "murderously violent."
  • The Murdoch media machine, specifically the New York Post, published a headline that incorrectly stated Boelter was a "former appointee of Tim Walz."
  • Joey Mannarino, with over 600,000 followers on X, described the Democratic Party as "VIOLENT SCUM" and spread a false rumor that Melissa Hortman was preparing to switch parties.
  • The disinformation campaign was fueled by the influencers' desire to profit from national crises and their disregard for the truth, as evident in their smearing of Governor Walz with baseless accusations.

Statistics:

  • 1.8 million followers have Collin Rugg on X.
  • 1.4 million followers have Mike Cernovich on X.
  • 600,000+ followers have Joey Mannarino on X.
  • The suspect's "hit list" comprised Minnesotans who were outspoken in favor of abortion rights.
  • The Workforce Development Council has 342 open positions on Minnesota boards and commissions.
  • Governor Tim Walz negotiated a compromise with Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature to end eligibility for undocumented adults under the age of 26 for MinnesotaCare but keep it for children.

Sources:

  • (https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1933924564419129643)
  • (https://x.com/Cernovich/status/1933961216671490485)
  • (https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/15/senate-not-on-board-with-walz-house-budget-agreement/)
  • (https://commissionsandappointments.sos.mn.gov)
  • (https://nypost.com/2025/06/14/us-news/suspect-in-deadly-minnesota-shootings-identified-as-vance-luther-boelter/)
  • (https://x.com/Cernovich/status/1933938770362990971)
  • (https://x.com/JoeyMannarinoUS/status/1933901454877818973)
  • (https://x.com/mnhouseDFL/status/1933943231584325828)
  • (https://x.com/Cernovich/status/1933957873270182280)
  • (https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1933950533813068181)