Labeling mainstream media as “brainwashing” tools to promote an alternative reality

What it claims

American media outlets are cast as sources of manipulation from which voters must be “deprogrammed” by turning to alternative channels. This tactic aims to erode trust in verified information sources in favor of conspiracy theories and Kremlin-aligned interpretations of international events.

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.

• Daily broadcasts offer viewers “deprogramming” from mainstream media lies, discussing the supposed secret revival of Bill Clinton’s illegal “Star Chamber” courts.

  Ted Rall, 31 Jul 2026

  x.com/TedRall/status/2082971974775558580

• Mainstream media hides the truth about foreign policy, so only alternative analysts can explain Iran’s true stance toward Washington.

  Ted Rall, 29 Jul 2026

  x.com/TedRall/status/2082482090067603853

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

To sow total distrust in institutional media, making the audience vulnerable to disinformation and radicalizing voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Techniques used

• Loaded LanguageUse of the term “deprogram” to describe the consumption of alternative content.
• Obfuscation / Intentional VaguenessMixing real news with conspiracy theories about secret tribunals (Star Chamber).

The real grievance it exploits

Real frustration among Americans over perceived political bias in major networks and a sense that corporate media ignores the interests of ordinary citizens.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Calls for “deprogramming” are a classic manipulation using cult-like language to isolate individuals from facts and make them dependent on a single “alternative” source.
• Prebunk: Ahead of the 2026 elections, expect a rise in channels labeling any verified information as “propaganda” to justify spreading their own fabrications about election fraud.

Sources (all time)

• Ted RallTier 211,374 followers
  6 posts · 29 Jul – 4 Aug 2026

  • 4 Aug · x.com/TedRall/status/2084668132325519689
  • 4 Aug · x.com/TedRall/status/2084607076345544781
  • 4 Aug · x.com/TedRall/status/2084598484699668884
  • 31 Jul · x.com/TedRall/status/2083215158273327569
  • 31 Jul · x.com/TedRall/status/2082971974775558580
  • 29 Jul · x.com/TedRall/status/2082482090067603853
• Dave RubinTier 31,638,982 followers
  4 posts · 31 Jul 2026

  • 31 Jul · x.com/RubinReport/status/2082982759622996468
  • 31 Jul · x.com/RubinReport/status/2082963037296992741
  • 31 Jul · x.com/RubinReport/status/2082960703154209200
  • 31 Jul · x.com/RubinReport/status/2082948453139890224