Former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a significant late-night posting session on his social media platform, Truth Social, this past Monday, unleashing a flurry of over 160 posts and shares. The activity, which spanned from 7 p.m. to nearly midnight Eastern Time, included the promotion of a baseless conspiracy theory targeting former First Lady Michelle Obama and President Joe Biden.
A "WILD" Claim Promoted
Among the numerous posts, Trump shared a clip from far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. On a recent episode of his show, Jones platformed an unfounded allegation from Bed, Bath and Beyond founder Patrick Byrne. Byrne, known for pushing conspiracy theories, claimed that Michelle Obama used an "autopen" device on Biden's behalf to issue four or five presidential pardons.
"And then you’d love to see, who knows if they charged a million dollars a par — who knows how that — that’s so illegal! That is so illegal!" Byrne exclaimed in the clip Trump promoted. President Biden has previously dismissed such talk, stating in June that he made all decisions regarding pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations during his administration. "Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false," Biden said in a formal statement.
Broad Range of Attacks and Other Theories
Trump's social media spree extended far beyond the Biden-Obama theory. He launched attacks on several political figures, including former Attorney General Eric Holder. He labeled Democratic veterans who urged troops to defy illegal orders as "a threat to America," accused Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of crimes against the country, and promoted a post calling Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar a "terrorist from a terrorist family."
In one notable post, Trump shared what appeared to be an AI-generated video featuring Elon Musk. The video touched on Trump's pledge to immediately revoke temporary legal protections for Somali migrants living in Minnesota. This post coincides with reports that Trump's Treasury Department may investigate unsubstantiated allegations that stolen taxpayer money in Minnesota was funneled to a Somali terrorist group. The Minnesota Star Tribune has reported there is scant evidence to support such a claim.
Additional Unfounded Allegations Circulated
The former president also used the platform to push other conspiracy theories. One such theory falsely suggested that Joe Biden’s former White House Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients, along with the president's son, Hunter Biden, were the "SECRET PARDON PUPPET MASTERS" during the administration. This late-night digital outburst underscores Trump's continued use of social media to amplify controversial and unverified claims against his political opponents.
