There’s more than one way to be far-right in America. What looks like a single movement is actually a messy mix of hustles, hashtags, and ideologies, each with their own beliefs and tactics.
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Some of these groups shield themselves in patriotism and religion, while others borrow from Silicon Valley tech culture or destructive internet memes to amplify their influence. However, the common thread between them all is the ability to swoop in and exploit America’s frustrations during trying times, flipping the energy into racism, misogyny or flat-out chaos.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the groups, ideologies and online tactics driving this chaos.
The Proud Boys
The Proud Boys are a far-right, neo-fascist, male-only group known for street-level violence, political intimidation, and a twisted sense of “Western chauvinism,” per George Washington University. Founded by Gavin McInnes, a co-founder of Voice Magazine (now known as Vice) turned far-right commentator and provocateur, they present themselves as patriots defending free speech, but their actions tell a different story: brawls at protests and ties to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, per the Department of Justice.
White Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism is the belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should stay that way. Now you might be thinking, “I’m also a Christian…” however, this kind of ideology doesn’t appear to hold space for Black folks. For many in this movement, we’re talking white dominance, xenophobia, and a full-on rejection of multiculturalism. It’s a movement that dresses itself in patriotism and faith, but underneath, it carries a dangerous exclusionary agenda.
The Dark Enlightenment Movement
Techno-authoritarianism, also known as the Dark Enlightenment, is the idea that democracy is broken — and if you ask them, it’s broken beyond repair. Think neo-reactionary tech blogger Curtis Yarvin, and Peter Thiel, billionaire investor who co-wrote “The Diversity Myth,” seeking to turn the country into a corporation run by a CEO-monarch. In this vision, power isn’t casting your vote, it’s handed down from the top with strict hierarchies that favor the elite.
Accelerationism: ‘Destruction and Collapse’
Accelerationism is the “let it all burn” wing of the far-right, the belief that society is beyond saving… and the faster it collapses, the better. This ideology promotes radical change by intensifying capitalism and technological development, and its believers are active. After “dedicated White supremacist” Skyler Philippi was reportedly charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, per CNN, an FBI agent described the ideology as “a white-supremacist belief that the existing state of society is irreparable and that the only solution is the destruction and collapse of the ‘system.’”
The Boogaloo Movement
The Boogaloo Movement isn’t subtle — they openly call for violence and a second civil war, while pushing anti-government and anti-law enforcement rhetoric, per the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Their name is a spin on the 1980s breakdancing film, “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” — a chilling mockery that escalated behind political message boards on the internet. While the group appears to be decentralized, members have been linked to domestic terrorism plots, per the outlet, and one member even killed a government official to push the agenda, per Courthouse News.
The Black Pill
For the extreme right, the Black Pill is all about nihilism — the belief that the system is broken beyond repair, per the Anti-Defamation League. Combined with incel culture, this worldview often overlaps with white supremacy, creating a toxic mix of hate and resentment. Though many stay online, the ideology has inspired real-world violence, including Elliot Rodger who killed six people in a stabbing spree in California, per BBC. Needless to say, they want to destroy the system — and the women that the system empowered to “reject” them.
Groypers, Led by Nick Fuentes
Groypers are the younger, meme-fueled face of accelerationism. Led by Nick Fuentes, the far-right White supremacist network believes that they defend against the destruction of the “true America” as a White Christian nation, according to ADL. Groypers attempt to mask their ideology by aligning with Christianity and “traditional” values, while opposing “liberal” values like LGBTQ rights and feminism, per the outlet.
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