Pizzagate emerged during the 2016 United States presidential election, fueled by the hacking of John Podesta's email account and subsequent publication of his emails by WikiLeaks. Proponents of the theory falsely claimed that these emails contained coded messages linking high-ranking Democratic Party officials and U.S. restaurants to a fictional human trafficking and child sex ring.

We delve into the key players behind the propagation of Pizzagate, including alt-right activists, conservative journalists, and influential figures from outside the political sphere. We examine how social media platforms such as 4chan, 8chan, Reddit, and Twitter played a pivotal role in spreading the conspiracy theory and discuss the misuse of real events to lend credibility to baseless claims.

Our podcast also sheds light on the dangerous real-world implications of Pizzagate. We explore the case of Edgar Maddison Welch, who believed in the theory and carried out an armed attack on Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington, D.C. We discuss the subsequent public reactions, the legal repercussions faced by those involved, and the broader conversations surrounding the responsibilities of social media platforms.

http://DeepLore.tv

http://twitter.com/DeepLore