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Passages

(4,480 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 [View all]

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/

Link to tweet

The insidious manipulation is riveting.

20 replies

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Highlight:

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