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Revealed: The operators behind four major neo-Nazi X accounts (www.texasobserver.org)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

36 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

Under Elon Musk, X (formerly Twitter) has become a hub for white supremacist content due to reduced moderation.

A Texas Observer investigation identified four neo-Nazi account operators, tied to Texas, New Hampshire, and Virginia, whose content has amassed 500,000 followers and millions of views.

Despite sharing antisemitic and pro-Nazi rhetoric, some accounts received responses from Musk and benefited from ad revenue and verification.

Public figures, including politicians, follow these accounts. Employers and the Navy are investigating the individuals, raising questions about accountability and platform policies.

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[–] [email protected] 120 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Through reviewing posts on X, web archives, leak databases, and other social media profiles, the Observer identified the following individuals as the anonymous operators of neo-Nazi X accounts, which had a collective 500,000 followers at their peak:

Cyan Cruz (40 years old): Marketing professional who has lived in Austin and Amarillo, Texas, operating the X account TheOfficial1984.

Michael Gramer (42 years old): Retired mechanical engineer who has lived in New Hampshire, claimed to own a house in Galveston, Texas, and spent time in Dallas, operating the X account 9mm_SMG.

Robert “Bobby” Thorne (35 years old): Vice president at JP Morgan Chase in Plano, Texas, operating the account Noble1945 and previously Noble_x_x_.

John Anthony Provenzano (30 years old): Lives in Virginia, works at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, and operates the X account utism_ (formerly JohnnyBullzeye).

[–] [email protected] 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Think any of them will get fired or face legal issues for this? Pretty sure the naval one will have a bad time.

[–] [email protected] 72 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The guy working the naval shipyard might get got if he's part of a Nazi club. SF86 is a questionnaire required for a security clearance. Section 29 asks if you've committed an act of terror or are associated with groups dedicated to restricting constitutional rights of citizens or overthrowing the government.

If nothing else, lying on a federal form is a federal crime.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 3 weeks ago

When asked about Provenzano’s employment and apparent posts on X, a public affairs officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head provided the following statement: “The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for extremist conduct and takes all allegations of personnel involvement in extremist groups seriously. These allegations are under investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

...

Provenzano did not respond to requests for comment sent to his email or X account. Less than a week after the Navy provided comment for this story, the utism_ account was deleted.

[+] [email protected] 26 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] 26 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sir we have a president elect out as a Nazi.

[+] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Not a sir, I'm not too sure about that.

Chase-Manhattan Bank Known today as JP Morgan Chase, the Chase Manhattan Bank has a spotty history with Nazi Germany.

Notably, during the buildup of the Third Reich, Chase-Manhattan (with a handful of other US banks) aided the Nazis by helping them raise $20 million for a dollar exchange, a commission from which the bank profited $500,000

They did it when it was popular and profitable the first time, and they are a business.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Just to be clear. Vice President is a title one step above Associate. There are tens of thousands of vice presidents there and at most other banks. It doesn't mean he has any authority in the company.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Which also means its just bad press to have their name associated with him, and its unlikely they will have the slightest concern about terminating his employment over this - other than using it to say "We won't tolerate this".

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Without question. This guy is not important and nobody will protect him. Most people don't realize that banks hand out that particular title like candy. When I worked at JPMC, I was an associate (nobody important) and my manager was a vice president. There were 7 levels of management between me and the CIO.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yup, and I think it may be even more of a gap now, there are a few other titles up to even MD at this point (if my rough count is accurate), which still has a few levels to go to the c suite.

He's nothing in the hierarchy, I doubt he'd be there by next week.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It was probably more than that when I was there and I'm just misremembering the org chart, it was some time ago.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe, but they also keep adding intermediate levels it seems like.

I dont work there just to mention, I just have to work with them (and many other similar companies). I keep seeing new titles over the years. Could have already been there of course, but some people seem to be doing the same job with a new title and no other changes.

[–] [email protected] 33 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

If this story gets widespread and sustained attention I bet the JP Morgan VP is done for. Not that they have a problem with that sort of thing if he had kept it quiet, but having it come out could cost them some money and he's not important enough for that.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 3 weeks ago

In response to a request for comment from the Observer, Michaela Ross, vice president of media relations and executive communications with JP Morgan Chase, responded via email: “The employee in question is on leave while we complete our investigation. We do not tolerate hate speech of any kind.”

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago

The Naval warfare centre guy and JP Morgan chase guy for sure. Especially if people shine some more light on this and bring it to the attention of their employers.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

You gotta love it that someone with the last name "Cruz" is a neo nazi wannabe

[–] [email protected] 104 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

That was an unbelievably thorough article. I had forgotten what real journalism looked like.

[–] [email protected] 41 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The Texas Observer is maybe the best paper in the State.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago

I’m always glad to see fellow Texans who give a shit, this election’s voting map was even more depressing than I expected. I’ll have to keep an eye on this paper

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

I hope you Texans subscribe if you can afford to.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 weeks ago

Credit where due. Nice work.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 3 weeks ago

These accounts have drawn the attention of conservative commentators, activists, and even elected officials. The X account belonging to Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky follows three of the four neo-Nazi accounts, while the account belonging to GOP Arizona state Senator Wendy Rogers follows two. The account belonging to Sebastian Gorka, former and future deputy assistant to Donald Trump, follows 9mm_smg, and the account belonging to Chuck DeVore, an executive at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, has retweeted one of 9mm_smg’s posts.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 3 weeks ago

I'll give you one more for free: Elon Musk

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago

If you want to spew fascist talking points at least have the courage to do it openly. Deal with the social consequences instead of hiding like cowards. At least these four can't hide behind their digital white hoods anymore. Expose them all.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago

Now this is some real fucking journalism. 👏👏👏

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago

Hopefully these people do not have jobs much longer. I can't imagine JP Morgan wants to be seen as having a neo Nazi as one of their VPs.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

More exposure of accounts like this, please.