MAGA activists 'bragging' about violent crackdown as 'test run': analyst

Media Matters chief says Trump allies are manufacturing evidence of voter fraud to undermine elections

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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According to Media Matters for America chief Angelo Carusone, President Trump's allies are using a 'constellation' of conservative 'investigative-type creators' to manufacture evidence of voter fraud and then use official positions to amplify those claims through the right-wing media echo chamber. Carusone argues the violent crackdown on protesters in Minnesota was a 'test run' for this broader strategy to sow chaos, suppress votes, and ultimately elevate Trump as a 'strongman' leader.

Why it matters

Carusone's analysis suggests the Trump administration and its allies are pursuing a coordinated, multi-pronged strategy to undermine confidence in US elections through a feedback loop of manufactured scandals, official investigations, and right-wing media narratives. This could have major implications for the integrity of future elections and democratic norms.

The details

Carusone says Trump allies like Heather Honey, who have 'special government employee status', are now able to 'operationalize threads of that narrative from an official position.' These allies are also working with 'investigative-type creators' to produce 'exposés' and 'reports' alleging voter fraud, which are then amplified through the right-wing media. The violent crackdown on protesters in Minneapolis, Carusone argues, was a 'test run' for this broader strategy.

  • The Minneapolis crackdown occurred in 2026.
  • Trump allies are currently 'teeing up' similar efforts in Arizona and 9 other states.

The players

Angelo Carusone

President of Media Matters for America, a liberal media watchdog group.

Heather Honey

A 2020 election denier who has been given 'special government employee status' to help with voter fraud investigations.

James O'Keefe

A conservative activist known for producing undercover 'exposé' videos.

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What they’re saying

“There are others all across the government, you know, not just on the inside but on the outside that are helping reinforce and buttress that narrative from official purchase.”

— Angelo Carusone, President, Media Matters for America (MS NOW)

“They have a constellation of these sort of investigative-type creators, people that were doing things like what James O'Keefe used to do, who are going out there and putting together these exposés, these reports, this of the scandal.”

— Angelo Carusone, President, Media Matters for America (MS NOW)

“There are 20, 20 election deniers that are talking about their relationship with the White House right now, who are teeing up what they're doing in Arizona and nine other states.”

— Angelo Carusone, President, Media Matters for America (MS NOW)

What’s next

The Trump administration and its allies are expected to continue their efforts to sow doubt about election integrity in the lead-up to future elections.

The takeaway

Carusone's analysis suggests the Trump administration and its allies are pursuing a coordinated strategy to undermine confidence in US elections through a feedback loop of manufactured scandals, official investigations, and right-wing media narratives. This raises serious concerns about the future of American democracy.