WIRED Politics Lab

The election denial movement lives on, thanks in part to the efforts of well-funded and well-organized far-right activists. Today on the show, CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan joins Wired Politics Lab to talk about his forthcoming documentary examining election deniers’ new tactics, and what happens after the November vote. 

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Donie O’Sullivan is @Donie. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:

Election Deniers Are Ramping Up Efforts to Disenfranchise Voters by David Gilbert

MisinfoNation: The Trump Faithful by Donie O’Sullivan

Inside the Election Denial Groups Planning to Disrupt November by David Gilbert.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Q hasn’t posted anything since 2022. But a staggering number of Americans still buy into QAnon, the conspiracy movement steeped in claims that Satan-worshiping pedophiles run the US government. Today on the show, journalist and author Jesselyn Cook on QAnon’s lasting political ramifications and the relationships it destroys.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Jesselyn Cook is @JessReports. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here

Mentioned this week:

The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family by Jesselyn Cook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we're bringing you a special preview of the new season of the New Yorker investigative podcast In the Dark, hosted by Madeleine Baran. The series examines the killings of twenty-four civilians in Haditha, Iraq, and asks why no one was held accountable for the crime.

In Episode 1, a man in Haditha, Iraq, has a request for the In the Dark team: Can you investigate how my family was killed?

In the Dark is available wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/itds3feeddrop

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on WIRED Politics Lab, how Democratic megadonors in Silicon Valley are showing their support for Vice President Kamala Harris now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race. Plus, why posts from the far-right and Republican lawmakers calling Biden’s exit a ‘coup’ have exploded online.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Makena Kelly is @kellymakena. Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:

Silicon Valley Donors Bailed on Biden. Kamala Harris Is Winning Them Back by  Makena Kelly and Lauren Goode 

The Right Reacts to Biden’s Withdrawal: It’s a ‘Coup’  by David Gilbert

The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris by David Gilbert 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right after former president Donald Trump was shot at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania, conspiracy theories exploded online. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we discuss the subsequent calls for violence and civil war, and the way that militias are recruiting off of the incident. Plus, we report from the Republican National Convention on the reaction to Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Makena Kelly is @kellymakena.Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week: 

Militias Are Recruiting Off of the Trump Shooting by Tess Owen

Far-Right Extremists Call for Violence and War After Trump Shooting by David Gilbert

Trump Shooting Conspiracies Are Coming From Every Direction by David Gilbert

Elon Musk Among Tech Heavyweights to Rally Behind J.D. Vance VP Pick by Makena Kelly

Influencers Are Racing to Profit From the Trump Shooting by Makena Kelly

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate, speculations that Vice President Kamala Harris may fill the void are everywhere. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, how the far right is already pushing racist and misogynistic conspiracies that question Harris’ ability to be president. Plus, why RFK Jr. is looking to capitalize on the moment.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:

The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris by David Gilbert 

This Is the Moment RFK Jr. Has Been Waiting For  by Vittoria Elliot

Unwelcome at the Debate, RFK Jr.’s Star Shines on TikTok Live by Makena Kelly

Conspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance by David Gilbert

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on WIRED Politics Lab, the first part of a series from Marketplace that explains how the New Deal changed American society.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on  WIRED Politics Lab, Pod Save America co-hosts Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join the show to discuss what the Biden administration has to say about Disinformation. Plus, how to wade through the social media muck and stay informed through this election. 

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Jon Favreau is @jonfavs. Tommy Vietor is @TVietor08. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:

Google’s and Microsoft’s AI Chatbots Refuse to Say Who Won the 2020 US Election by David Gilbert 

Extremist Militias Are Coordinating in More Than 100 Facebook Groups by Tess Owen 

The Biden admin has no firm plan to call out domestic disinformation in the 2024 election By Dan De Luce and Ken Dilanian, NBC

How the Right Won the Internet and How the Left is Fighting Back Journalist Sasha Issenberg on Offline with Jon Favreau

Democracy or Else By Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor and Jon Lovett

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake Lang was arrested for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. From prison, he has organized an armed militia that now has thousands of members nationwide.

Today on WIRED Politics Lab, reporter David Gilbert explains how this new militia came to be and its possible parallels to 2020. Plus, a look into the recent resurgence of far right extremism.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:

A January 6 Rioter Is Leading an Armed National Militia From Prison by David Gilbert

Extremist Militias Are Coordinating in More Than 100 Facebook Groups by Tess Owen

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we're digging into AI chatbots. In a bizarre turn of events, two AI chatbots are running for elected office for the first time—ever. VIC is campaigning for mayor in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and AI Steve is running for Parliament in the UK. Reporter Vittoria Elliot interviewed both of the bots and the people behind them. She explains their motivations, and if any of this is even legal. Meanwhile, reporter David Gilbert talks about how Google and Microsofts’ AI chatbots are refusing to confirm who won the 2020 election.

Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Write to us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.

Mentioned this week:
An AI Bot Is (Sort of) Running for Mayor in Wyoming by Vittoria Elliot

Google’s and Microsoft’s AI Chatbots Refuse to Say Who Won the 2020 US Election by David GilbertThere’s an AI Candidate Running for Parliament in the UK by Vittoria Elliot.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices