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Passages

(4,473 posts)
Mon May 4, 2026, 08:46 AM May 4

60 Minutes: Some white nationalists swoop in after natural disasters, trying to soften their image while offering help

May 3, 2026
w/ Lesley Stahl

A surge of tornadoes tore across a large swath of the country in April, carving a path of destruction. Over 200 tornadoes hit over 20 states, closely clustered in the last couple of weeks. And hurricane season is just around the corner.

Our story tonight is about what happens after these natural disasters. A pattern has emerged in recent years in which militias, conspiracists, and white supremacists show up to hard-hit communities — as they did last week in Texas — offering help. But they've been called disaster tourists who are out to sow doubt in government, soften their own image and gain followers.

September 2024. Hurricane Helene barreled through North Carolina with forces so powerful, it nearly wiped the town of Bat Cave off the map, lifting homes and toppling trees.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/some-white-nationalists-swoop-in-after-natural-disasters-60-minutes-transcript/




The insidious manipulation is riveting.

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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60 Minutes: Some white nationalists swoop in after natural disasters, trying to soften their image while offering help (Original Post) Passages May 4 OP
Youtube version: sl8 May 4 #1
Scary. But unfortunately true. My friend works for FEMA and the CT that these guys created hampered their efforts. LeftInTX May 4 #8
Horrifying to me. Passages May 4 #9
My Friend in Swannanoa Deep State Witch May 4 #20
Interesting underpants May 4 #2
You're welcome. Passages May 4 #3
This gives me Handmaids Tale vibes JBTaurus83 May 4 #4
I agree. I was shocked by their piece by piece manipulation. Passages May 4 #5
This is a really common tactic and they've been doing it for years. Mutual aid is a huge entry point for any movement. WhiskeyGrinder May 4 #6
Communists have done it for a long time JBTaurus83 May 4 #11
It's a known tactic of terrorist groups. Aid after natural disasters, civil unrest, wars. Solly Mack May 4 #7
We have to put a stop to this when we reach majority. Passages May 4 #10
We need to also put together groups of volunteers JBTaurus83 May 4 #12
I agree but I want to see an organized campaign against them from our government. Passages May 4 #16
We need to make sure the government and the decent groups are responding as quickly as possible. Solly Mack May 4 #13
Absolutely. Passages May 4 #17
A stop to what? WhiskeyGrinder May 4 #14
To their propaganda. Passages May 4 #15
It's not hard. They meet people's needs. They of course focus on people who are already primed to believe their message-- WhiskeyGrinder May 4 #18
MLK talked and reached out to racists all the time, even those in the north. Passages May 4 #19

sl8

(17,146 posts)
1. Youtube version:
Mon May 4, 2026, 08:49 AM
May 4

13:44 min.


When the volunteer helping after a hurricane is a white nationalist | 60 Minutes
YouTube / 60 Minutes

LeftInTX

(34,835 posts)
8. Scary. But unfortunately true. My friend works for FEMA and the CT that these guys created hampered their efforts.
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:45 AM
May 4

Then it makes FEMA look even worse.

And they're there for the photo-op with no respect for the organizational process involved with disaster relief.

Sounds like their Aryan Brotherhood leader is on parole.

Deep State Witch

(12,753 posts)
20. My Friend in Swannanoa
Mon May 4, 2026, 12:22 PM
May 4

Had a run-in with them. They were cosplaying law enforcement officers, and blocking access to her neighborhood by making everyone show IDs. She called the real cops on them, and they disappeared.

Passages

(4,473 posts)
3. You're welcome.
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:00 AM
May 4

Caustic people finding a means to spread hate, this was not an avenue I would have ever imagined.

JBTaurus83

(1,664 posts)
4. This gives me Handmaids Tale vibes
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:19 AM
May 4

These people, have been working to replace our constitutional government, and it just seems like enough people are not paying attention.

Passages

(4,473 posts)
5. I agree. I was shocked by their piece by piece manipulation.
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:32 AM
May 4

We need to educate people who are vulnerable to these tactics.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,207 posts)
6. This is a really common tactic and they've been doing it for years. Mutual aid is a huge entry point for any movement.
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:42 AM
May 4

Solly Mack

(97,248 posts)
7. It's a known tactic of terrorist groups. Aid after natural disasters, civil unrest, wars.
Mon May 4, 2026, 09:44 AM
May 4

It develops good will (for their aims). If you're the ones keeping the lights on or bringing in the food and water, you're more valuable than the government to the immediate needs of the people. Such groups can mobilize faster, and they are making a point to be hands-on and talking with their targeted group of people.


If white supremacist groups aren't collecting government aid through grants yet; they will be soon enough.

You form a group (a legal entity/charity), go into areas hit hard to help, apply for grants to aid your "good" works, funnel money to other projects.

Passages

(4,473 posts)
16. I agree but I want to see an organized campaign against them from our government.
Mon May 4, 2026, 11:38 AM
May 4

Much more aggressive and pinpointed in a proactive approach.

Solly Mack

(97,248 posts)
13. We need to make sure the government and the decent groups are responding as quickly as possible.
Mon May 4, 2026, 10:34 AM
May 4

And go after hate groups.

Passages

(4,473 posts)
15. To their propaganda.
Mon May 4, 2026, 11:36 AM
May 4

We should be prepared for their propaganda; we see how they attach themselves to people who are in vulnerable situations.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,207 posts)
18. It's not hard. They meet people's needs. They of course focus on people who are already primed to believe their message--
Mon May 4, 2026, 11:58 AM
May 4

not sure how many here would be interested in providing mutual aid to Trump voters or out-and-out racists, though. The problem with letting leopards eat other people’s faces is that sometimes there will be folks who prevent that from happening — and those are folks who get listened to.

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