A U.S. Secret Service agent visited an Omaha, Nebraska woman after she posted a message on X about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The USSS confirmed the agent conducted a “protective intelligence interview” related to the post. During the interaction, the agent explained the threshold for crossing the line on social media and clarified the nature of the visit. The woman expressed her viewpoints, and the agent stated that the matter was a “non-issue” given her clarification. The Secret Service maintains it investigates all potential threats to protect government officials.
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A social media account known as the “Bush Legend” has garnered tens of thousands of followers by presenting AI-generated videos about Australian wildlife. The account’s creator, a South African residing in New Zealand, has generated a character resembling an Indigenous Australian, raising ethical concerns. Experts like Dr. Terri Janke criticize the appropriation, highlighting the potential for cultural harm and the risk of perpetuating stereotypes. The account’s use of AI further exacerbates the issue by potentially displacing authentic voices and amplifying racist sentiments within its content.
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The Department of Labor is facing criticism for a social media post that critics say echoes a Nazi-era slogan. The department’s post, which included the phrases “One Homeland. One People. One Heritage,” prompted outrage due to its similarity to the Nazi slogan “One People, One Realm, One Leader.” This is not the first time the administration has been accused of using imagery and language that mirrors white nationalist circles. Previously, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security have also faced scrutiny for using similar tactics.
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ICE is implementing a large-scale recruitment strategy, aiming to hire up to 10,000 new officers nationwide. This initiative includes a comprehensive social media campaign targeting individuals with interests in areas like UFC fights, patriotic podcasts, and firearms. The campaign will utilize platforms such as Snapchat and Rumble, along with livestreamers and right-wing influencers, to promote recruitment. Furthermore, the agency plans to employ geofencing technology to directly advertise to devices in specific locations, including military bases and gun shows.
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Multiple social media accounts posing as Scottish independence supporters have gone silent after the internet was cut amid protests in Iran. These accounts, which shared increasingly extreme content, promoted false claims of unrest and instability in Scotland. The sudden inactivity mirrors a previous incident where similar accounts disappeared following internet disruptions in Iran, raising suspicions of coordinated disinformation. Research suggests that a portion of online content promoting Scottish independence may be linked to foreign actors, including Iranian-backed bot networks, using false personas to spread divisive narratives.
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Meta has reported removing nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users under 16 across its platforms in response to Australia’s Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, which went into effect in December. The social media ban restricts access to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. While complying with the law, Meta is urging the Australian government to collaborate with the industry for a more effective solution. The company suggests incentivizing the industry to improve safety standards and implement age verification tools to protect young users across all apps, thereby avoiding the need for blanket bans.
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Meta has deactivated over 544,052 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads belonging to users believed to be under 16, following Australia’s new social media ban, which went into effect in December. The ban, covering ten platforms, requires age verification, but the opposition claims implementation has been ineffective, with many accounts remaining active or migrating to other platforms. While Meta is complying, the company also expressed concerns about age verification methods and urged the government to collaborate with the industry. The ban is being closely monitored globally, with the UK also considering similar measures.
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In early January 2026, social media users widely shared a post from “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings, who stated he would vote for a 2028 presidential candidate promising to “prosecute the former regime at every level.” The post, referencing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the death of Renee Nicole Good, was correctly attributed to Jennings’ verified Bluesky account. This comment, which appeared on January 7, 2026, echoed Jennings’ history of controversial social media remarks, including past criticisms of Donald Trump. Jennings became the permanent host of “Jeopardy!” in 2023, after serving as interim host, and holds significant records for his performance on the show.
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The death of Renee Good, an American citizen, by an ICE agent’s gunfire in Minneapolis has been heavily influenced by right-wing media and “citizen journalists,” whose misinformation campaigns have demonized immigrant communities. These individuals, empowered by platforms like X and figures such as Elon Musk, disseminate fact-free narratives and amplify sensationalized content, often targeting liberal protests or immigrant groups. This environment allows for the spread of lies and the erosion of journalistic integrity, as seen in the Good case, where these influencers attempted to rewrite the circumstances of the shooting, and are increasingly incentivized to push false narratives for clout and financial gain. Consequently, these actions contribute to a toxic media landscape where truth is distorted, and accountability for harmful acts, such as Good’s death, is undermined.
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Following the tragic deaths of Minnesota State Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, President Donald Trump shared a social media post promoting a conspiracy theory linking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to the murders. In response, the Hortmans’ children, Colin and Sophie, have publicly urged Trump to remove the post, denouncing it as misinformation that dishonors their mother’s memory and fuels political division. The families’ statements have called for responsibility and compassion during this difficult time. Trump’s post was shared amidst investigations into allegations of fraud in Minnesota state programs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Spends $100 Million on Social Media Amidst Criticism
ICE is implementing a large-scale recruitment strategy, aiming to hire up to 10,000 new officers nationwide. This initiative includes a comprehensive social media campaign targeting individuals with interests in areas like UFC fights, patriotic podcasts, and firearms. The campaign will utilize platforms such as Snapchat and Rumble, along with livestreamers and right-wing influencers, to promote recruitment. Furthermore, the agency plans to employ geofencing technology to directly advertise to devices in specific locations, including military bases and gun shows.
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