Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes — “MAGA Conspiracies Falsely Accused a Brown University Student”

Host: Tim Miller (The Bulwark)
Date: December 20, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller addresses the dangerous spread of conspiracy theories within MAGA circles and right-wing media, following the tragic shooting at Brown University and the murder of an MIT professor. The episode scrutinizes how high-profile political figures, commentators, and even members of the government falsely identified and smeared an innocent Palestinian activist and Brown University student, highlighting the consequences of reckless misinformation and bigotry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Explosion of MAGA Conspiracies after the Brown University Shooting

• Timeline of Events:

  • Immediately after the Brown shooting, MAGA influencers began speculating about the suspect’s identity before facts emerged.
  • The FBI initially named a Wisconsin man as a person of interest; he was later released.
  • Right-wing conspiracy theorists, including prominent figures and even an Assistant Attorney General, started circulating the name and photo of a Palestinian activist from Brown University, labeling them as the alleged killer—despite no evidence supporting this.

• False Claims Spread Online and by Government Officials:

  • Numerous large MAGA-affiliated social media accounts participated.
  • Accused student is Palestinian, a known activist, and identifies as “he/they.”
  • Unfounded allegations included claims that the student shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the crime.

• Reality of the Case:

  • The true perpetrator, Claudio Valente, was found dead by suicide in New Hampshire. He was a 48-year-old Portuguese national, gained US residency via the diversity lottery, and bore no resemblance to the falsely accused student.
  • Miller underscores the significant gap between reality and what was spread online.

2. Systemic Issues of Online Hate and Bigotry

• Rooted in Prejudice:

  • The accusations stemmed from bigoted assumptions about Muslims and transgender people.
  • The lack of evidence did not deter figures from pushing irresponsibly for the student’s public targeting.

  “Their prior is that all Muslims and trans folks are killers…so they found this one that goes to Brown and decided that they wanted to make that person's life miserable.”
  — Tim Miller [03:25]

• Lack of Accountability on the Right:

  • While there is infighting within the right, such as Ben Shapiro criticizing Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens over certain conspiracies, no prominent conservatives stood up for the wrongly accused Palestinian student.
  • Miller points to hypocrisy in only defending targets “they have more of an affinity for.”

  “If there’s going to be a real reckoning on the MAGA right about the conspiracy mongering...the people that are calling it out got to call it out across the board, not just when the targets...are people that they have more affinity for.”
  — Tim Miller [05:31]

3. Naming and Shaming: Who Spread the Falsehoods

• List of Key Offenders:

  • Laura Loomer: Aggressively disseminated the accusations; suggested university “scrubbed” the student’s name from the web for nefarious reasons.
  • Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: Raised suspicions about Brown's website changes, implying a cover-up.
  • Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon: Publicly called the university’s actions “sus,” despite her legal responsibilities.

  “You’re supposed to be one of the investigators. You’re in the Justice Department now, not just a poster...Go find the actual killer and prosecute them...That’s your job. Fucking infuriating.”
  — Tim Miller [09:53]

  • Benny Johnson: Shared photos of the student as the suspected killer.
  • Valentina Gomez and Rep. Brandon Gill: Contributed alternate conspiracy theories, like framing Brown student Ella Cook's murder as politically motivated violence from the left.
  • Jack Posobiec: Claimed murder was an inside job targeting Republicans.
  • Matt Walsh (Daily Wire): Advanced theories about investigation sabotage.

4. Real-World Consequences for the Falsely Accused

• Personal Cost:

  • The innocent student became a target for Islamophobia, anti-trans attacks, and personal threats.
  • University actions to protect the student—such as removing their name from university sites—became targets of further conspiracy, amplifying the firestorm.
  • Miller expresses empathy and outrage at the deep injustice and calls for self-reflection and broader condemnation on the right.

  “I just can’t imagine being that person, being falsely accused of this, having to deal with Islamophobia, having to deal with anti-trans hate—and for what?”
  — Tim Miller [12:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On False Premises and Bigotry:
  “Their prior is that all Muslims and trans folks are killers...It’s just despicable what they did.”
  — Tim Miller [03:25]

• On Government Malfeasance:
  “You’re in the Justice Department now. You’re not just a poster...You’re putting a target on them from the Justice Department.”
  — Tim Miller [09:53]

• On Right-wing Selective Outrage:
  “If there's going to be a real reckoning...you gotta call it out across the board, not just when the targets...are people that they have more affinity for.”
  — Tim Miller [05:31]

• Empathy for the Victim:
  “I just can't imagine being that person...having to deal with Islamophobia, anti-trans hate, and for what?”
  — Tim Miller [12:17]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:11] — Start of the main discussion: Tim Miller outlines the false accusations and MAGA response
• [03:25] — On the targeted bigotry behind the false accusations
• [05:31] — Critique of right-wing infighting and selective condemnation of conspiracies
• [08:08] — Breakdown of specific individuals and officials pushing the false narrative
• [09:53] — Outrage at government involvement (Harmeet Dhillon)
• [12:17] — Impact on the accused student and final reflections

Conclusion

Tim Miller forcefully condemns the right-wing ecosystem’s role in amplifying baseless conspiracies that targeted an innocent Palestinian student at Brown University in the wake of a tragedy. He highlights the hypocrisy in right-wing circles that only denounce misinformation selectively, urges for broader accountability, and empathizes deeply with the personal toll on the wrongly accused. The episode is a sober reminder of the dangers fueled by online bigotry and irresponsible voices with influence.

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