Ever since a mob of Trump supporters, White supremacists and QAnon believers violently invaded the U.S. Capitol building, influential pro-Trump voices have attempted to pin the insurrection on Antifa.
Trump himself made the claim during a private phone call with Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California. Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz blamed Antifa during a floor speech in the House of Representatives and multiple Fox News commentators spread the baseless lie as well.
The FBI has, however, investigated the matter and declared that no evidence of Antifa involvement has been found.
But in a world driven by conspiracy theories and tweets that make the rounds on Facebook and Twitter regardless of their accuracy, that myth gained some traction.
A recent video showed just how far a lie like that can get.
The lie was shared in a classroom where young, impressionable minds are taught the supposed “truths” of history and the world.
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The video captured a Florida schoolteacher’s attempt to rewrite history.
“Supporters arrived, and suddenly there was violence. Already, three of those have been identified as Antifa members that were in the building.”
She continued, speaking over one student who asked, “What about the Proud Boys?”
“We have had trouble with this all Summer long. Their peaceful demonstrations were fine until a bunch of Antifa members showed up and started riots.”
“It’s just another example. They were paid to be there, they were paid to be violent so that the Trump supporters would look bad.”
When the student interjected once again to share he’d heard the riots were carried out by “Proud Boys and Trump supporters,” the teacher doubled down on her false claims.
“No. In fact there’s video showing the Trump supporters trying to stop the people breaking windows.”
“Anybody can put on a MAGA hat when they’re paid to be there and cause a riot, they wanna make it like Trump supporters so they wear Trump hats and carry Trump flags.
“Does that make them Trump supporters? No.”
Another student then spoke up, only to be drowned out by the teacher’s continuing rant. As the video ended, the student asked to go to the office.
People who saw the video on Instagram were totally appalled a teacher could spread such outright lies to her students.
Others congratulated the students for speaking up.
And some commenters were students of the very school where this went down.
They provided some further info and a key update.
If that last comment is indeed true, the disinformation campaign will at least be spread by one less person.
Of course, with the lie already spread and believed by millions on social media, the lie will continue to be uttered all over.