Demonization of intelligence agencies as “puppet masters” of global crises

What it claims

U.S. intelligence agencies, specifically the CIA and FBI, are portrayed as rogue entities that deliberately provoke or ignore global threats for their own benefit. This tactic aims to erode trust in American state institutions ahead of the 2026 midterms by spreading conspiracy theories about “managed chaos.”

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 CIA knew with 100% certainty about the migrant crisis in Ceuta but did nothing to stop it.

  John Kiriakou, 4 Aug 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2084662373944553484

• Federal agencies target people for political reasons, using the same methods they employ against actual criminals.

  John Kiriakou, 6 Aug 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2085352557812052215

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 convince voters that the federal government is their enemy, aiming to provoke political apathy or support for radical candidates who promise to dismantle key security agencies.

Techniques used

• DoubtUsing rhetorical questions about whether the CIA knew about a crisis in advance to sow doubt about the agency's integrity.
• Name Calling or LabelingLabeling federal agents as criminals who persecute opponents.

The real grievance it exploits

The manipulation exploits genuine distrust among segments of the American public toward the “deep state” and historical precedents of power abuses by intelligence agencies.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Note the use of unsubstantiated claims about “100% probability” of a conspiracy without providing any evidence—this is a classic manipulation technique to create an illusion of insider knowledge.
• Prebunk: Ahead of the 2026 elections, expect a surge in messages accusing the FBI of “interference” through investigations or arrests, aimed at discrediting the law enforcement system in the eyes of voters.

Sources (all time)

• Ben SwannTier 2259,587 followers
  1 post · 7 Aug 2026

  • 7 Aug · x.com/BenSwann_/status/2085500379907727365
• John KiriakouTier 2211,007 followers
  6 posts · 28 Jul – 8 Aug 2026

  • 8 Aug · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2086116408753106982
  • 6 Aug · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2085352557812052215
  • 4 Aug · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2084662373944553484
  • 4 Aug · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2084658883134464134
  • 28 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2082136732410015910
  • 28 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2082136407225540909
• Anya ParampilTier 2146,234 followers
  1 post · 4 Aug 2026

  • 4 Aug · x.com/anyaparampil/status/2084386714836185314
• Benny JohnsonTier 34,143,425 followers
  4 posts · 11 Aug 2026

  • 11 Aug · x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2087249672662392969
  • 11 Aug · x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2087245664485040229
  • 11 Aug · x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2087240471836061837
  • 11 Aug · x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2087230611022848510
• Wyatt ReedTier 2204,558 followers
  4 posts · 19 Jul – 13 Aug 2026

  • 13 Aug · x.com/wyattreed13/status/2087782413518667862
  • 19 Jul · x.com/wyattreed13/status/2078827632896913905
  • 19 Jul · x.com/wyattreed13/status/2078825992332669120
  • 19 Jul · x.com/wyattreed13/status/2078813594376876096