WIRED Politics Lab

The podcast discusses the conspiracy theories after Trump's shooting, calls for violence and civil war, militias recruiting, tech influencers supporting J.D. Vance, and influencers profiting from the incident. Also, explores social media radicalization, patriotic atmosphere in Milwaukee, and a funny conspiracy theory about Nick Cage being a vampire.

After President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate, speculations that Vice President Kamala Harris may fill the void are everywhere. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, how the far right is already pushing racist and misogynistic conspiracies that question Harris’ ability to be president. Plus, why RFK Jr. is looking to capitalize on the moment.Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.Mentioned this week:The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris by David Gilbert This Is the Moment RFK Jr. Has Been Waiting For  by Vittoria ElliotUnwelcome at the Debate, RFK Jr.’s Star Shines on TikTok Live by Makena KellyConspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Today on WIRED Politics Lab, the first part of a series from Marketplace that explains how the New Deal changed American society. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor from Pod Save America discuss Biden admin's stance on disinformation and social media's role in the election. They cover combating false narratives, Republicans vs. Democrats approach to disinformation, and the impact of conspiracy theories on politics.

Jake Lang, arrested for Jan 6th Capitol attack, organizes armed nationwide militia from prison. Podcast covers rise of far-right extremism, militias' preparations for 2024 elections, potential civil unrest, and Trump's influence. Also delves into conspiracy theories and upcoming music festival.

AI chatbots are making waves in politics, with VIC running for mayor in Wyoming and AI Steve in the UK. Google and Microsoft chatbots avoid disclosing election winners, raising concerns about misinformation. The intersection of AI technology and politics is explored, along with conspiracy theories surrounding Hunter Biden and adrenochrome.

Katie Drummond, Global editorial director of Wired magazine, discusses the TikTok ban as a corporate crusade by Silicon Valley against a foreign competitor. She criticizes the ban as rooted in hypocrisy and refusal to regulate social media platforms equally. The podcast explores the impact of the ban on journalism, US government pressure on TikTok, and the political ramifications of the decision.

Leah Feiger from WIRED Politics Lab discusses AI in elections worldwide. They delve into deepfake technology, its impact on Indian politics, and the use of AI avatars in campaigns. The conversation also explores the challenges of media literacy, global conspiracy theories, and the need for regulatory frameworks in the digital age.

Discussing Twitter's transformation into x.com under Elon Musk, the rise of the Dublin to New York portal for authentic connections, the impact of Musk's leadership on content moderation and user experience, and the fragmentation of online platforms creating bespoke realities in political discourse.

Hasan Piker, a popular political streamer on Twitch, discusses the platform's influence on the upcoming election and the importance of news integrity. They explore activism's impact on political engagement, critique the Biden administration's communication, and delve into the entertainment value of political debates on platforms like Twitch. The conversation also touches on intriguing conspiracy theories and closes with social media links for further engagement.