Amplifying institutional distrust by spinning theories of “hidden scandals” and backroom conspiracies

What it claims

U.S. government actions are portrayed as a web of secret conspiracies aimed at hiding the truth from citizens ahead of the elections. The use of manipulative videos and references to high-profile cases seeks to convince voters of the total corruption of the political elite.

Target audience

Examples (paraphrased)

We paraphrase rather than quote: propaganda's exact wording is built to spread, so we carry the claim and not the craft. Each example cites the post it came from.

• The government is hiding video recordings of Senator Graham discussing plans for a quick war with Iran with Advisor Sullivan.

  John Kiriakou, 28 Jul 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2082136407225540909

• JD Vance is breaking with the White House position by demanding the release of secret files in the Epstein case.

  John Kiriakou, 23 Jul 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2080288773942743336

We link archived copies rather than the posts themselves, so that checking our work sends no traffic to the source. Where a platform cannot be archived, we print the post's address instead of linking it.

Goal

Undermine trust in state institutions and demotivate voters by instilling the idea that real policy is made in secret, away from the public eye.

Techniques used

• Obfuscation / Intentional VaguenessUsing clickbait headlines about “secret videos” and “Epstein files” to create an illusion of hidden truth.
• Appeal to Fear / PrejudiceStoking anxiety through claims of war preparations allegedly being planned in secret from the public.

The real grievance it exploits

The manipulation preys on genuine American frustration over a lack of transparency in government decisions and historical precedents of classified information.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Watch for the use of sensationalist headlines and “leaked” videos stripped of context. This is a classic tactic to create an artificial sense of conspiracy around standard political discussions.
• Prebunk: Ahead of the 2026 elections, expect more “sensational revelations” based on old cases or out-of-context quotes designed to make you doubt the integrity of the electoral process.

Sources (all time)

• Sonar21 (Larry C. Johnson)Tier 3~797K monthly visitors
  2 posts · 14–28 Jul 2026

  • 28 Jul · sonar21.com/the-department-of-war-is-covering-up-the-true-extent-of-us-casualties/
  • 14 Jul · sonar21.com/why-the-united-states-is-fighting-a-war-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-it-cannot-win/
• John KiriakouTier 2211,007 followers
  3 posts · 23–28 Jul 2026

  • 28 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2082136407225540909
  • 28 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2082095744001941585
  • 23 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2080288773942743336
• Tim PoolTier 32,721,089 followers
  2 posts · 10 Aug 2026

  • 10 Aug · x.com/Timcast/status/2086858604124999760
  • 10 Aug · x.com/Timcast/status/2086817195443556536