Ford Fischer: What's the Untold Story Behind 'Stop the Steal'?

Oct 3, 2024

In this insightful discussion, Ford Fischer, a documentary filmmaker and the editor in chief of News2Share, shares his firsthand experiences covering the 'Stop the Steal' movement and the January 6 Capitol Riot. He dives into the origins of this controversial movement and highlights the interplay between grassroots activism and organized political strategies. Fischer also discusses the complex dynamics of the day, the roles of various groups involved, and reveals critical insights from his documentary, 'Fight Like Hell,' emphasizing the importance of understanding these narratives through investigative journalism.

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

Origins of Stop the Steal

05:09 • 8min

Exploring the Financial Dynamics and Legal Consequences of Political Operatives

13:33 • 3min

January 6th: Insurrection or Riot?

16:21 • 12min

Rhetoric and Reality: Prelude to January 6th

28:32 • 29min

Exploring Federal Informants at the Capitol

58:00 • 2min

Unraveling January 6th Narratives

01:00:21 • 17min

Who's most to blame for the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021? How much does it matter for the election in November 2024?

We all remember the events of January 6, which resulted in unforgettable images, an evacuation of the Capitol, several deaths, $2.7 billion in costs, more than 1,200 criminal charges, an impeachment, and decades in prison for many involved.

Today's guest was there during the lead-up to January 6—not as a participant, but as a chronicler. Ford Fischer is a documentary filmmaker and editor in chief of News2Share, which is on the scene for seemingly every major act of political unrest. Ford was also once upon a time an intern at Reason. Most recently, he was a co-writer and cinematographer on a new documentary about January 6 called Fight Like Hell, directed by Jon Long, which is now available for free on YouTube.

There are several documentaries about this event out there, but this one contains some footage that Fischer captured in the months and days leading up to the capitol riot, helping the viewer better understand the mechanics of the movement. We focus largely on Fischer's firsthand experience of covering months of "Steal the Steal" protests.

Sources Referenced:

Fight Like Hell (Official Documentary)
Government Accountability Office: Estimated cost and deaths
The New York Times: Pro-Trump Organizer Cooperating in Justice Dept Jan. 6 Inquiry
Reason's Jacob Sullum: Do These Seditious Conspiracy Convictions Prove the Capitol Riot 'Was Not Spontaneous'?
ABC News: 3 years later, Jan. 6 by the numbers
Rep. Thomas Massie (R–Ky.) questions Attorney General Merrick Garland during a House Judiciary Committee hearing

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
02:31 The broad context of the "Stop the Steal" movement
05:08 Who is Ali Alexander?
15:04 Why were some leaders prosecuted and others not?
19:46 Insurrection, riot, or something else?
26:53 How was even more violence avoided?
38:56 Were the police welcoming people inside the Capitol?
41:27 Trump's speech: Incitement?
51:29 January 5th and the turn against police
57:59 Massie: What was the role of federal informants?
1:10:54 Will this sort of thing happen again after this upcoming election?
1:15:15 The media should present more information and less narrative

Producer: John Osterhoudt

The post Ford Fischer: What's the Untold Story Behind 'Stop the Steal'? appeared first on Reason.com.