The Moonshot Threat Bulletin is designed to inform threat assessments for public safety professionals, analysts and decision-makers alike, who need to hone in on emerging trends faster and understand how developments online may translate to offline risk.
In this series, we provide a monthly glimpse into the Threat Bulletin’s national trends analysis of online DVE spaces across the U.S. Our aim is to give a taste of the critical insights and coverage that Threat Bulletin provides.
This blog contains a short excerpt from December’s Moonshot Threat Bulletin. If you would like to access a one month free-trial to the full Threat Bulletin and discuss buying a subscription for your organization, please get in touch: info@moonshotteam.com
December 2022 National Trends
Key Insights
Highest daily spike in threats against the Jewish community observed since Threat Bulletin reporting began. Threats peaked on December 2, following rapper Kanye West’s appearance on Infowars and his suspension from Twitter for posting a Swastika inside the Star of David.
In DVE spaces, the “Twitter Files” are being framed as “proof” of various crimes committed by social media platforms, the U.S. government and other agencies including the FBI, CIA and DoD. Calls to protest and perpetrate violence towards individuals detailed in the “Files” are being observed, while FBI agents are receiving threats in response to claims the platform aided the “Pentagon’s Covert Online PsyOp Campaign”.
President Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. provokes anti-Ukraine and pro-war sentiment, and discussion of potential actions to take in response to his visit. These include blowing up the White House, public hangings and assassination, and “tax revolt” in an attempt to prevent tax dollars being provided to Ukraine.
Electricity substations framed as “soft targets” following an attack on critical infrastructure in North Carolina. DVE plots against critical infrastructure are becoming increasingly common, with attacks likely to increase in the future.
Return of the “Proud Boys: Uncensored” Telegram channel suggests renewed in-fighting in the group. The channel, known for representing the most extreme wing of the Proud Boys, has gained over 1,000 Telegram subscribers since its launch in early December.
The Moonshot Threat Bulletin provides an overview of the key events, themes and narratives discussed by audiences within online U.S.-based Domestic Violent Extremist (DVE) spaces, including:
- Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE)
- Anti-Government and Anti-Authority Violent Extremism (AGAAVE) (including Militia Violent Extremism, Sovereign Citizen Violent Extremism, and Anarchist Violent Extremism)
- Harmful Conspiracy Theories online.
It also provides an assessment of violent hate, threats, and harassment trends online.
The Threat Bulletin includes comprehensive coverage of both mainstream and niche platforms, including Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, Gab, Telegram, 4chan, Stormfront, Gettr, 8kun, TruthSocial, among others.
The Threat Bulletin also monitors and forecasts future trends and events to watch across online DVE spaces. For more detailed insights and analysis, including geo-spatial assessments of DVE threats across the U.S., please get in touch: info@moonshotteam.com.
