CNN Senior Correspondent Donie O’Sullivan presents a new chapter in his Emmy-nominated investigation of the American political landscape and those ensnared by misinformation.
In this instalment, O’Sullivan focuses on “Bernie Bros” who, feeling abandoned by politics, have veered towards far-right extremism. These individuals, many of whom are avid gamers who spend a significant amount of their time online, express sentiments of alienation from the United States and align themselves with conspiracy theorists, white supremacists, and even Vladimir Putin.
O’Sullivan comments, “So much of the hate and extremism we see across American politics today is appealing to and being promoted by young men who, rightly or wrongly, feel aggrieved. In ‘MisinfoNation: The Lost Left,’ we begin to explore how political opportunists are using social media to play on these men’s insecurities and radicalize them.”
The episode sees O’Sullivan attending a gathering of self-proclaimed “MAGA Communists” in Michigan, where he interacts with Jackson Hinkle, a charismatic 24-year-old leader within the movement. He also speaks with protestors gathered outside the Democratic National Convention and connects with Hasan Piker, a prominent political figure on Twitch who is actively working to counter online hate and the spread of misinformation.
The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: MisinfoNation: The Lost Left airs on CNN on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
