On the Media: "Conspiracy Theories Come Back to Bite MAGA. Plus, The Final Episode of The Divided Dial"

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Hosts: Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger
Produced by WNYC Studios

1. Introduction and Context

In this episode of the Peabody Award-winning podcast "On the Media," hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger delve into the resurgence of conspiracy theories within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and explore the conclusion of their investigative series, "The Divided Dial." The episode navigates through the intricate web of media influence, government transparency, and the enduring impact of shortwave radio in the digital age.

2. Conspiracy Theories and the MAGA Movement

The episode begins by examining how conspiracy theories have re-emerged as a significant force within the MAGA movement, particularly impacting its credibility and internal dynamics.

Alan Weiner sets the tone by stating, "[00:00] We will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus," highlighting the deep-seated mistrust MAGA adherents have towards governmental institutions.

Michael Olinger continues, "[00:06] To win the last election, the president and his allies blamed the deep state for all of society's ills," illustrating how conspiracy theories have been weaponized to galvanize support and delegitimize opposition.

Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark, provides further insight:
"[00:27] They love Trump and they're very happy with a lot of what they're getting, but also they're not getting everything. That's because a lot of their demands are impossible to deliver."
He cites impossible demands such as "arresting Hillary Clinton or finding proof that the FBI was involved with trying to assassinate Donald Trump," showcasing the unrealistic expectations fueling discontent within the movement.

3. The Rise and Transformation of WBCQ Shortwave Radio

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to "The Divided Dial," an investigative series exploring the evolution of shortwave radio. The narrative centers on Alan Weiner and his radio station, WBCQ, tracing its journey from a pirate station to one of the most powerful privately owned broadcasting facilities today.

a. From Pirate Radio to Licensed Station

Pam Bondi narrates the early days of Alan Weiner's rebellion against mainstream media control:
"[13:00] Allen was a tech savvy hippie with round glasses and a long bowl cut in the style of Johnny Ramone. And together with his comrades, Allen had launched a pirate radio station."

Despite multiple confrontations with the FCC, Alan persisted, ultimately legitimizing his operations in 1998 by launching WBCQ in Monticello, Maine.
"[16:46] It wasn't in the coveted corporatized market of New York City. It was in the 800 person blink and you'll miss it. Town of Monticello in far northern Maine."

b. Hosting Extremist Content

WBCQ's mission of free speech attracted a variety of voices, including extremist groups.
"[25:44] Alan Weiner: The American Nazi Party. Do you know they were one of the first people to sign up with us? They came to us. Oh, free speech right on the air. I said, yep, no problem."

Despite initial intentions, WBCQ became a platform for hate speech and extremist rhetoric. Alan grappled with the ethical dilemmas of hosting such content:
"[26:09] Alan Weiner: We had a programmer that kept getting on the air and telling people to go out and kill the Jews. And I kept calling him up and going, look, you can't encourage people to go out and kill people. You know, if that happens, you're going to go to jail."

Efforts to curb hate speech were met with resistance, leading to internal conflicts and public backlash.

4. Financial Struggles and the Arrival of World’s Last Chance

Facing financial difficulties, WBCQ sought new avenues of support, leading to a pivotal partnership with a far-right Christian ministry known as World’s Last Chance.

Pam Bondi outlines the transformation:
"[34:03] Alan Weiner: You know, the 50 bucks we get here and there, you know that doesn't pay the bills. It doesn't."

In 2018, WBCQ received a substantial financial boost:
"[36:10] Alan Weiner: That summer was great. WBCQ got a many million dollar cash injection and that massive new antenna, it can pump out 500 kilowatts of power, 10 times as much as WBCQ's other signals."

World’s Last Chance, led by Galal Das, an Egyptian magnate turned religious leader, provided the necessary funds to elevate WBCQ’s broadcasting capabilities.
"[38:43] Pam Bondi: They are an ultra conservative Christian End Times ministry. And they preach, among other things, things that the earth is flat."

This partnership facilitated the expansion of WBCQ's reach but also entrenched it deeper into broadcasting extremist and conspiratorial content.

5. Impact on the Information Ecosystem and Government Functionality

The episode critically assesses how the proliferation of conspiracy theories and extremist content on platforms like WBCQ affects broader societal structures and governmental operations.

Will Sommer provides a poignant example:
"[07:30] Will Sommer: Here's one example. You know, it's been reported that the Southern District of New York prosecutor's office essentially ground to a halt recently because so many of the employees there had been detailed by Pam Bondi towards redacting the Epstein files so they could finally be released."

This diversion of resources towards satisfying right-wing demands detracts from addressing more pressing legal and societal issues, thereby impairing governmental functionality.

6. Ethical Dilemmas and the Future of Free Speech on Radio

Alan Weiner's steadfast belief in absolute free speech leads to ethical quandaries, especially when hosting platforms for hate speech and extremist ideologies.

During a critical moment, Alan addresses the removal of a Nazi host:
"[28:29] Alan Weiner: [...] to all the listeners out there that hold me to my principles of allowing all voices on the air, I apologize and I am sorry. But in this one instance, and I plan to make it the last instance, I had to do it."

Despite these attempts, extremist voices like Hal Turner continue to dominate WBCQ’s airwaves, reflecting the persistent struggle between free speech and ethical responsibility.

Alan Weiner justifies his approach:
"[44:51] Alan Weiner: My political science professor used to say that if you let things fester in the dark, they will fester and grow. But if you shine the light on them, the light will help expunge it and bring it out so people can say, hey, this is wrong. We don't agree with this. You know, you shouldn't do this."

However, the unintended consequence is the amplification of harmful ideologies without adequate counter-narratives.

7. Listener Perspectives and the Dual Nature of Shortwave Radio

The series concludes by juxtaposing the dark turn WBCQ has taken with positive listener experiences, highlighting the multifaceted nature of shortwave radio.

Michael Olinger shares a listener's sentiment:
"[50:37] Alan Weiner: It just feels cool."

Listeners appreciate shortwave radio for its ability to transcend media bubbles and provide diverse perspectives:
"[50:37] Pam Bondi: [...] they told us the same thing. Shortwave is a way to get out of your media bubble, to get out of the US and western centric news cycle."

However, the dominance of extremist content through stations like WBCQ raises concerns about the medium’s future and its role in shaping global discourse.

8. Conclusion: The Battle for Public Airwaves

The final segment underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain public airwaves amidst rising profiteering and monopolization by extremist groups. The episode hints at a looming conflict between "pirate broadcasters" seeking a utopian vision for shortwave and "profiteers" aiming to control and commercialize the medium.

Pam Bondi teases the final episode:
"[52:38] Pam Bondi: On the final episode of this season, it's the battle playing out right now for our short waves between the pirates and the profiteers."

The hosts emphasize the critical importance of safeguarding public airwaves to ensure diverse and truthful information dissemination.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alan Weiner on Free Speech:
  “[45:16] My political science professor used to say that if you let things fester in the dark, they will fester and grow. But if you shine the light on them, the light will help expunge it and bring it out so people can say, hey, this is wrong.”

• Will Sommer on Government Impact:
  “[07:30] [...] the Southern District of New York prosecutor's office essentially ground to a halt [...] in what is, I think, pretty clearly an attempt to satisfy the Attorney General's critics on right wing Twitter and YouTube.”

• Alan Weiner on Hosting Extremist Content:
  “[25:44] We had a programmer that kept getting on the air and telling people to go out and kill the Jews.”

Insights and Conclusions

This episode of "On the Media" provides a nuanced exploration of how conspiracy theories and extremist ideologies infiltrate and manipulate media platforms like shortwave radio to influence political movements such as MAGA. The transformation of WBCQ from a rebellious pirate station to a hub for far-right propaganda underscores the challenges in balancing free speech with ethical broadcasting. The financial entanglement with groups like World’s Last Chance further complicates the station's mission, highlighting the broader implications for the information ecosystem and governmental operations.

The conclusion points to an urgent need to address the monopolization and commercialization of public airwaves to preserve their role as diverse and truthful information sources. As shortwave radio battles between idealistic broadcasters and profiteering forces, the future of free and open communication hangs in the balance.

For more detailed exploration of these themes, listeners are encouraged to tune into the complete episode of "On the Media."