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Passages

(4,433 posts) Mon May 4, 2026, 08:46 AM Monday

60 Minutes: Some white nationalists swoop in after natural disasters, trying to soften their image while offering help [View all]

May 3, 2026
w/ Lesley Stahl

A surge of tornadoes tore across a large swath of the country in April, carving a path of destruction. Over 200 tornadoes hit over 20 states, closely clustered in the last couple of weeks. And hurricane season is just around the corner.

Our story tonight is about what happens after these natural disasters. A pattern has emerged in recent years in which militias, conspiracists, and white supremacists show up to hard-hit communities — as they did last week in Texas — offering help. But they've been called disaster tourists who are out to sow doubt in government, soften their own image and gain followers.

September 2024. Hurricane Helene barreled through North Carolina with forces so powerful, it nearly wiped the town of Bat Cave off the map, lifting homes and toppling trees.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/some-white-nationalists-swoop-in-after-natural-disasters-60-minutes-transcript/

Link to tweet

The insidious manipulation is riveting.

20 replies

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Highlight:

60 Minutes: Some white nationalists swoop in after natural disasters, trying to soften their image while offering help [View all] Passages Monday OP

Youtube version: sl8 Monday #1

Scary. But unfortunately true. My friend works for FEMA and the CT that these guys created hampered their efforts. LeftInTX Monday #8

Horrifying to me. Passages Monday #9

My Friend in Swannanoa Deep State Witch Monday #20

Interesting underpants Monday #2

You're welcome. Passages Monday #3

This gives me Handmaids Tale vibes JBTaurus83 Monday #4

I agree. I was shocked by their piece by piece manipulation. Passages Monday #5

This is a really common tactic and they've been doing it for years. Mutual aid is a huge entry point for any movement. WhiskeyGrinder Monday #6

Communists have done it for a long time JBTaurus83 Monday #11

It's a known tactic of terrorist groups. Aid after natural disasters, civil unrest, wars. Solly Mack Monday #7

We have to put a stop to this when we reach majority. Passages Monday #10

We need to also put together groups of volunteers JBTaurus83 Monday #12

I agree but I want to see an organized campaign against them from our government. Passages Monday #16

We need to make sure the government and the decent groups are responding as quickly as possible. Solly Mack Monday #13

Absolutely. Passages Monday #17

A stop to what? WhiskeyGrinder Monday #14

To their propaganda. Passages Monday #15

It's not hard. They meet people's needs. They of course focus on people who are already primed to believe their message-- WhiskeyGrinder Monday #18

MLK talked and reached out to racists all the time, even those in the north. Passages Monday #19