Commentary

The Smith Report: How Trump Weaponized Media To Spark An Insurrection

by Joe Mandese , January 14, 2025

Apologies for using Google's NotebookLM to get to the gist, but it was the fastest way to understand how Trump weaponized media, according to Jack Smith.

You can read the just-released 174-page report in its entirety here, but I promoted NotebookLM to distill the highlights of Smith's investigation in terms of how Trump used media -- primarily social media -- leading up to, and on Jan. 6 to spark the insurrection.

Or, if you prefer to listen to a virtual podcast analysis of it, courtesy of NotebookLM's Audio Overview feature, you can click here or on the graphic below.

Here's the text version of what the chatbot had to say:

According to the Special Counsel Jack Smith's report, Donald Trump used media, particularly social media, as a key weapon in his efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election. His strategy involved the widespread dissemination of knowingly false claims about election fraud, targeting specific individuals, and mobilizing supporters.

Specific Ways Trump Used Media as a Weapon:

Amplifying False Claims: Trump used social media to broadcast false claims about the election being stolen. These included allegations of ineligible voters, manipulated voting machines, and fraudulent vote counts. The report emphasizes that these claims were repeatedly debunked by state and federal officials. Despite this, Trump continued to repeat and amplify them, using these lies as a weapon to undermine the democratic process. For example, Trump tweeted a report falsely alleging election fraud, writing, “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”.

Targeting Specific Individuals: Trump used social media, particularly Twitter, to publicly attack and attempt to influence state and federal officials, judges, and election workers who did not support his false claims or resisted his efforts. These attacks often led to threats and harassment from Trump's supporters. For example, after Trump criticized a Philadelphia City Commissioner on Twitter, the commissioner faced increased threats. Similarly, election workers were targeted with vile threats after Trump spread false claims about them.

Mobilizing Supporters: Trump used social media to mobilize his supporters for the January 6th rally in Washington D.C.. He urged them to come to Washington and encouraged them to take action to stop the certification of the election. The report notes that many who participated in the attack on the Capitol stated they were there due to Trump's words. For example, Trump tweeted on January 1, “The BIG Protest Rally in Washington, D.C., will take place at 11.00 A.M. on January 6th. Locational details to follow. StopTheSteal!”.

Obstructing the Certification: Trump's use of media, including his tweets, was directly linked to his effort to obstruct the congressional certification of the election. By promoting false claims on social media, he sought to create an environment of distrust and anger that could be used to disrupt the process. For instance, on the morning of January 6, Trump tweeted that if Vice President Pence "comes through for us, we will win the Presidency," implying Pence could overturn the results.

Trump's Intent:

The report concludes that Trump knew his claims of widespread election fraud were false. He made these claims even after being informed by his advisors and state and party officials that they were untrue. According to the report, this knowing deceit was used to pressure state officials, his own Vice President, and his supporters. Trump's intent, the report says, was to overturn the election results and perpetuate himself in office.

In summary, Trump strategically used media to spread false information, target individuals, and mobilize his supporters in an effort to undermine the election process and remain in power despite his loss. According to the report, his use of media was a core element of his criminal scheme.

4 comments about "The Smith Report: How Trump Weaponized Media To Spark An Insurrection".

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Michael Giuseffi from American Media Inc, January 15, 2025 at 10:07 a.m.
I wish more people would read the facts of this case as laid out by Jack Smith. But despite the facts placed before them it probably wouldn't matter, his supporters won't believe it. I never would have believed what is going on. Its like we are sceaming into the wind with the facts.
Reply

Thomas Siebert from BENEVOLENT PROPAGANDA, January 15, 2025 at 3:37 p.m.

How to identify non-journalists: They still define January 6th as an "insurrection."

Michael Giuseffi from American Media Inc replied, January 15, 2025 at 3:59 p.m.

You cannot get away with that.

Definition of insurrection:

an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government.

Jan 6th was exactly that.

Ben B from Retired, January 16, 2025 at 12:38 a.m.

Didn't Jack Smith Report come out in Oct that it's just a rehash from said report back in Oct hoping that Trump would've lost in Nov. This was only teeth that I thought Trump was guilty on. If I was on that jury in the spring trial I'd found Trump not guilty on all 34 counts as Trump didn't get a fair trial in my opinion.

I'm glad I didn't vote for the 2 evils once again in Nov one less vote for Kamala & Trump along with Biden in 2020 proud that I voted for a 3RD party which isn't a wasted vote.