WIRED's Uncanny Valley: Far-Right Influencers, Antifa, and the Erosion of Academic Freedom

Introduction

Michael Calore: Today’s episode of Uncanny Valley explores the intersection of power, ideology, and technology in the wake of escalating threats against academic figures and the growing influence of far-right online influencers. We’ll delve into the case of Rutgers University history professor Mark Bray, whose targeted harassment by far-right networks underscores a dangerous trend: how social media amplifies extremism, enabling real-world violence and silencing dissenting voices. Joining me are Leah Feiger, Senior Politics Editor at WIRED, and David Gilbert, a reporter specializing in extremism and disinformation.

Leah Feiger: Thank you for having us, Michael.

David Gilbert: Pleased to be here.

Professor Mark Bray’s Ordeal: Targeted by Far-Right Influencers

Michael Calore: Let’s start with Professor Bray’s story. In recent weeks, he faced escalating threats, including explicit death threats, after the Trump administration designated antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization.” What led to this targeted harassment, and why did it escalate so rapidly?

David Gilbert: Professor Bray is a scholar known for his 2017 book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, which analyzes the history of anti-fascist organizing. His work has made him a focal point for far-right rhetoric since its publication—particularly after he donated half the book’s profits to anti-fascist defense funds. However, the turning point came last month when President Trump signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. This move emboldened far-right influencers, who immediately singled out Bray as a “leader” and “financier” of antifa, despite no evidence of such ties.

Michael Calore: What specific threats did he receive?

David Gilbert: The threats grew increasingly explicit. In one email, a sender provided Bray’s home address and stated, “You are being monitored.” Another message warned, “I’ll kill you in front of your students.” These threats were corroborated by Bray, who shared them with WIRED. Fearing for his family’s safety—including his two children—Bray and his partner chose to leave the country, citing an inability to continue teaching under such conditions.

University Response and Student Reactions

Michael Calore: How did Rutgers University and Bray’s students respond to this crisis?

David Gilbert: Rutgers officials expressed support, adjusting Bray’s class locations to protect his safety. Students, however, were deeply distressed. On Reddit, a post by a Rutgers student lamented Bray’s departure, with comments praising his “engaging” and “informative” classes. The student emphasized that Bray fostered “debate without ideological coercion,” a stark contrast to the hostile rhetoric driving the threats.

Leah Feiger: This highlights a stark disconnect between the administration’s framing of antifa as a domestic terror threat and the reality of individuals like Bray facing literal death threats from online mobs.

David Gilbert: Precisely. The White House roundtable that followed Trump’s executive order, attended by far-right influencers like Jack Posobiec, further legitimized this rhetoric. Posobiec, for instance, called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor” and amplified his threats on social media. This public endorsement of violence effectively turned influencers into tools of the administration’s narrative.

The Role of Far-Right Influencers and Turning Point USA

Michael Calore: How powerful are these influencers, and which organizations are driving this movement?

David Gilbert: Figures like Jack Posobiec, along with allies from Turning Point USA (TPUSA)—a conservative student organization led by Charlie Kirk—have leveraged their online followings to shape narratives about antifa. TPUSA’s Rutgers chapter even launched a petition to fire Bray, which was amplified by Fox News and far-right media. This collaboration between influencers and conservative groups underscores a symbiotic relationship: the administration provides political cover, while influencers supply the grassroots energy to target critics.

Leah Feiger: This isn’t just about online harassment—it’s about real-world consequences. The threat to Bray’s family, his students’ education, and academic freedom itself.

David Gilbert: Exactly. And Turning Point USA’s influence extends beyond campus politics. Their reach, combined with Trump’s rhetoric, has normalized extremism as a political tool. For example, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, attended the White House roundtable alongside far-right influencers, blurring the line between official policy and fringe ideology.

Social Media’s Role in Amplifying Extremism

Michael Calore: What responsibility do social media platforms bear for this escalation?

David Gilbert: Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have abdicated content moderation, allowing hate speech and incitement to violence to spread unchecked. For example, far-right groups on these platforms spread false narratives about antifa, culminating in Bray’s targeted threats. Even after Meta (Facebook’s parent company) laid off content moderators, the platforms continue to prioritize profit over safety, refusing to address extremism or disinformation.

Leah Feiger: The irony is that these platforms, while claiming to “fight extremism,” enable it through algorithmic amplification. When influencers like Posobiec spread lies about Bray, those posts reach millions without scrutiny.

Personal Recommendations

Michael Calore: To shift tone, let’s share our personal recommendations for balancing the heavy topics we’ve discussed.

Leah Feiger: I recommend Love Is Blind (Denver Edition). It’s a reality show that, despite its drama, offers a fascinating study of human connection—and the often superficial choices people make. The chaos is both entertaining and a mirror to our own societal tensions.

David Gilbert: I suggest the film Steve (2024), starring Cillian Murphy. It’s a gritty, character-driven drama about a reform school educator, showcasing Murphy’s extraordinary range. The film’s unflinching portrayal of systemic failure is a stark commentary on accountability, resonating with today’s themes of extremism and power.

Michael Calore: My pick is Ways of Being by James Bridle. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of intelligence—human, animal, and artificial—challenging how we define “intelligence” and urging ethical safeguards for AI. Bridle’s prose is both accessible and profound, making it a vital read for anyone grappling with technology’s moral implications.

Closing

Michael Calore: Thank you, Leah and David, for this insightful discussion. This episode of Uncanny Valley was produced by Adriana Tapia and Mark Lyda. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to our podcast and share your thoughts at [email protected].

Leah Feiger: Thank you for listening.

David Gilbert: Goodbye, and stay curious.

[End of Episode]