Episode 256: Libs Of TikTok And Bomb Threats of Schools feat. Will Carless

Libs of TikTok is the name of a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms run by a woman named Chaya Raichik. In just a few years it has catapulted from a relative unknown to a right-wing media force. Raichik mostly reposts videos, photos, and screenshots designed to stir the ire of her followers. The vast majority of her output concerns the LGBTQ community, for example calling out teachers for sharing their pronouns with students and hospitals for offering gender-affirming care. The accounts have been amplified by the likes of Joe Rogan, Glenn Greenwald, and other big names.

The account’s posts often include the names, social media handles, and other identifying information of its subjects, leading to harassment campaigns against the individuals and organizations it spotlights. Raichik’s obsessions often go on to become mainstream topics of conservative discourse. She commands the attention of some of America’s most powerful right-wing politicians, and her influence has empowered the account’s conservative fanbase to threaten and protest children’s hospitals, teachers, school districts, drag shows, and more.

To get a better idea of the real world impact of Libs of Tik Tok, we are joined by Will Carless. He is a reporter for USA Today and he recently published an investigation titled “When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow.” And for this report, Carless got a rare personal interview with Raichik herself.

REFERENCES

Michael Flynn and family pocketed leftover money from his legal defense fund, filing claims

https://www.semafor.com/article/11/13/2023/michael-flynn-and-family-pocketed-leftover-money-from-legal-defense-fund-filing-claims

The AP incorrectly reported that QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley has “disavowed the QAnon movement” as he plans an Arizona congressional campaign

https://www.mediamatters.org/associated-press/ap-incorrectly-reported-qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-has-disavowed-qanon-movement

When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/11/02/libs-of-tiktok-tweets-death-bomb-threats/71409213007/

TIMELINE: The impact of Libs of TikTok told through the educators, health care providers, librarians, LGBTQ people, and institutions that have been harassed and violently threatened

https://www.mediamatters.org/libs-tiktok/timeline-impact-libs-tiktok-told-through-educators-health-care-providers-librarians