Latest news with #Pizzagate
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ofcom investigates notorious 4chan forum linked to mass shootings
A notorious online message board linked to mass shootings in the United States is facing an investigation by British officials. 4chan is to be investigated by Ofcom, Britain's tech regulator, under the Online Safety Act over the suspected spread of illegal online posts. The forum, which became known for its users' vociferous support for Donald Trump and has been blamed for radicalising mass shooters in the US, is one of nine websites that are the subject of new investigations by Ofcom. The regulator said it had received reports of 'illegal content and activity' being shared on 4chan, which had not responded to its requests for information. The Online Safety Act requires websites to take action against illegal online posts, such as terror content, inciting violence, racial hatred and extreme pornography. Originally launched in 2003 by American developer Christopher Poole, who is referred to by the online moniker 'moot', 4chan is known for its lack of moderation and has long been a byword for the extreme fringes of the internet. It is associated with hacker groups and the far Right. Anonymous members of 4chan's 'Politically Incorrect' forum were enthusiastic supporters of Mr Trump during his 2016 election campaign. 4chan users were also involved in spreading conspiracy theories such as QAnon and 'Pizzagate', which promoted unsubstantiated claims of a Democratic paedophile ring. The site was also the source of claims that Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex trafficker, had died, 40 minutes before the news broke in the US media. 4chan was blamed by New York's attorney general for 'radicalising' 18-year-old Payton Gendron, a mass shooter who killed 10 people in Buffalo in May 2022. A report alleged 4chan had been 'formative' in 'indoctrinating him into hateful, white supremacist internet subcultures'. The investigation into 4chan comes as Ofcom ramps up its enforcement of the Online Safety Act, which came into full effect in April this year. The law gives Ofcom the power to investigate websites for failing to do enough to block and remove illegal content. Offending websites can be fined up to 10pc of their turnover, or £18m. They can also be blocked from the UK, while senior managers can receive jail terms for repeated failings. Already, several fringe websites have pulled their services from the UK after facing regulatory scrutiny from Ofcom. Gab, a social network that had courted Right-wing commentators, message board site Kiwi Farms and YouTube rival Bitchute have all blocked UK visitors, accusing the Online Safety Act of interfering with free expression. Ofcom also opened investigations into eight other sites, including a pornography provider accused of failing to stop children accessing its websites and seven file-sharing websites that have allegedly failed to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material. Since 2015, 4chan has been owned by Japanese internet entrepreneur Hiroyuki Nishimura. 4chan was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ofcom investigates notorious 4chan forum linked to mass shootings
A notorious online message board linked to mass shootings in the United States is facing an investigation by British officials. 4chan is to be investigated by Ofcom, Britain's tech regulator, under the Online Safety Act over the suspected spread of illegal online posts. The forum, which became known for its users' vociferous support for Donald Trump and has been blamed for radicalising mass shooters in the US, is one of nine websites that are the subject of new investigations by Ofcom. The regulator said it had received reports of 'illegal content and activity' being shared on 4chan, which had not responded to its requests for information. The Online Safety Act requires websites to take action against illegal online posts, such as terror content, inciting violence, racial hatred and extreme pornography. Originally launched in 2003 by American developer Christopher Poole, who is referred to by the online moniker 'moot', 4chan is known for its lack of moderation and has long been a byword for the extreme fringes of the internet. It is associated with hacker groups and the far Right. Anonymous members of 4chan's 'Politically Incorrect' forum were enthusiastic supporters of Mr Trump during his 2016 election campaign. 4chan users were also involved in spreading conspiracy theories such as QAnon and 'Pizzagate', which promoted unsubstantiated claims of a Democratic paedophile ring. The site was also the source of claims that Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex trafficker, had died, 40 minutes before the news broke in the US media. 4chan was blamed by New York's attorney general for 'radicalising' 18-year-old Payton Gendron, a mass shooter who killed 10 people in Buffalo in May 2022. A report alleged 4chan had been 'formative' in 'indoctrinating him into hateful, white supremacist internet subcultures'. The investigation into 4chan comes as Ofcom ramps up its enforcement of the Online Safety Act, which came into full effect in April this year. The law gives Ofcom the power to investigate websites for failing to do enough to block and remove illegal content. Offending websites can be fined up to 10pc of their turnover, or £18m. They can also be blocked from the UK, while senior managers can receive jail terms for repeated failings. Already, several fringe websites have pulled their services from the UK after facing regulatory scrutiny from Ofcom. Gab, a social network that had courted Right-wing commentators, message board site Kiwi Farms and YouTube rival Bitchute have all blocked UK visitors, accusing the Online Safety Act of interfering with free expression. Ofcom also opened investigations into eight other sites, including a pornography provider accused of failing to stop children accessing its websites and seven file-sharing websites that have allegedly failed to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material. Since 2015, 4chan has been owned by Japanese internet entrepreneur Hiroyuki Nishimura.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk, Donald Trump feud ‘fake'? Here's why conspiracy theorists are convinced
As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk cooled down on their attacks on each other, several conspiracy theorists came up with a wild theory. Social media users suggested that the duo's clash over the 'Big Beautiful Bill' was 'fake' and 'staged'. Some even added that they 'cooked up' the feud while Musk was working from Mar-a-Lago back in January. This comes days after the Musk vs Trump breakup peaked this week after the Tesla CEO claimed that the administration was not releasing the Epstein Files because the president is mentioned in them. The billionaire did not stop there. He even shared a post calling for Donald Trump's impeachment and criticized his tariff policy, predicting a recession this year. Trump, too, went after his former senior adviser and DOGE chief. He told reporters at the Oval Office that he was 'disappointed' in Musk and even threatened to roll back the 53-year-old's federal contracts. Read More: Elon Musk deletes explosive X post claiming Trump's name in Epstein Files 'The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,' Trump wrote on Truth Social 'Go ahead, make my day," Musk quickly replied on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. Hours later, he announced SpaceX would begin decommissioning the spacecraft it used to carry astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station for NASA. QAnon and conspiracy theory circles speculated that the Musk vs Trump clash and was a ruse to trick Democrats into demanding Epstein file disclosures. Some said it's a scripted ploy, dubbed 'kayfabe', a pro-wrestling term for staged conflicts. Read More: Musk's 'baby mama' Ashley St Clair offers 'breakup advice' to Trump amid president's row with tech billionaire QAnon influencer who goes by AwakenedOutlaw, with 300,000+ X followers, wrote: 'Smooth-brained folks who haven't been paying attention and don't understand that kayfabe is in play, actually believe Trump and Musk are fighting." Others said that the feud is '5D chess' to manipulate Democrats. A Telegram user on David Clements' channel said, 'It's a wonderful game of 5D chess! Get the popcorn out, and watch the left go wild.' Liz Crokin, a Pizzagate theorist, claimed, 'It would not surprise me if the Deep State created fake evidence falsely implicating Trump. If this is case, their scheme will fail and backfire. So grab your popcorn and watch the media and Democrats falsely report Trump is a pedophile and a sex trafficker—this boomerang will be epic! 5D chess at its finest, baby—checkmate!'
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Justin Bieber's pizza video sparks speculation amid Diddy's trial
On the same day that Cassie Ventura delivered harrowing testimony against Sean "Diddy" Combs in his federal sex trafficking trial, Justin Bieber posted a video of himself eating pizza, igniting a wave of online speculation. The timing and content of the video led some fans and commentators to interpret it as a cryptic message referencing the ongoing legal proceedings involving his former mentor. Journalist Liz Crokin noted that the video's surveillance-style appearance resembled footage allegedly used by Diddy to record compromising situations for blackmail purposes. Crokin suggested that Bieber's video could be a subtle nod to these allegations, especially given the resurfacing of past interactions between the two artists. I genuinely feel sorry for Justin Bieber. He posted this video eating a pizza (pizza-gate) just the day Diddy's trial started… With the same type of camara Diddy would record all the freak parties to then blackmail the attendees. I hate Hollywood. — Ada Lluch (@ada_lluch) May 15, 2025 JUSTIN BIEBER POSTS VIDEO EATING PIZZA IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A RESPONSE TO THE DIDDY TRIAL ⚠️ Many believe he was victimized by Diddy as a child‼️ — Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) May 15, 2025 Bieber's relationship with Diddy has come under renewed scrutiny, with old videos circulating online showing the music mogul spending time with a young Bieber. In one clip, Diddy mentions having "custody" of the then-15-year-old singer for 48 hours, raising questions about the nature of their association. While Bieber has not publicly commented on the trial or the allegations against Diddy, his recent social media activity has fueled discussions about his possible awareness or experiences related to the case. The singer's 2020 music video for "Yummy" also faced similar speculation, with conspiracy theorists alleging hidden messages linked to the Pizzagate theory—a claim that has been widely debunked. As Diddy's trial continues, with testimonies detailing years of alleged abuse and manipulation, the public remains attentive to any developments or statements from those previously associated with him.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did Justin Bieber shade Diddy amid his trial? Singer's video fuels Pizzagate rumours as his former mentor gets exposed in court
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, also known as P. Diddy or simply Diddy, is currently facing a federal trial, nearly seven months after his arrest on serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. As the courtroom proceedings unfold and his alleged victims continue to testify against him, attention has also shifted to someone who once shared a close and powerful connection with the music mogul. Justin Bieber, once considered a close associate and rumoured to be among Diddy's alleged victims, has remained publicly silent about the arrest and ongoing trial. However, individuals close to the singer have revealed that the situation has taken a toll on him emotionally. Sources suggest that Bieber has been deeply affected by the developments, though he has chosen to stay out of the spotlight as the legal battle continues to play out. Now, a new claim has surfaced suggesting that Justin may have taken a subtle jab at Diddy's ongoing trial through a recent Instagram post—one that a journalist linked to what they've described as a reference to 'Pizzagate.' Scroll ahead to find more. Did Justin Bieber use 'pizzagate' to shade Diddy's trial? On Wednesday, May 14, Justin Bieber posted a short video to his Instagram, showing himself casually eating a slice of pizza. While the post might have seemed like the Baby singer being his usual goofiest self at first glance, the timing was definitely suspicious. It was shared on the very day that Cassie Ventura—Diddy's ex-girlfriend of ten years and the first person to file a lawsuit against him—took the witness stand in his federal trial. Author and journalist Liz Crokin weighed in shortly after, suggesting the video wasn't as innocent as it appeared. According to Crokin, the clip had the look of being captured by a surveillance-style camera, similar to the kind allegedly used by Diddy to record his so-called 'Freak Off' parties—footage that was allegedly used for blackmail purposes. She claimed, 'Bieber was no doubt a victim of Diddy and has been exposing Pizzagate and calling for justice for years.' Backing her latest claims, Crokin also re-shared a 2024 post in which she initially tied Bieber to the alleged Pizzagate theory. The post questioned, 'What did Diddy do to Justin Bieber, and did Bieber try to warn us that Diddy is involved in Pizzagate?' It also noted that Justin's father-in-law, actor Stephen Baldwin, had recently asked the public to pray for both Justin and Hailey amid the growing number of accusations being brought against Diddy, some of which echo the disturbing patterns associated with Jeffrey Epstein. Crokin further referenced a 2023 YouTube video where Justin's mother, Pattie Mallette, allegedly spoke candidly about Diddy's influence on her son. Titled Justin Bieber's Mom Speaks Out: Usher & Diddy's Impact on His Life Exposed, the video includes allegations that Diddy offered Bieber cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol at parties when he was still a teenager. Mallette described being horrified by the behaviour and said she had to step in to protect her son. Croklin further claimed that clips circulating on social media appear to support some of these concerns. In one video, Diddy is seen standing next to a 15-year-old Bieber, saying, 'What we been up to we can't really disclose, but it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream.' In another similar moment, Diddy confronts Bieber about not wanting to hang out with him anymore, leaving the teen visibly uncomfortable and stammering. Fast forward to 2020, when Bieber released the music video for his song Yummy. In the video, he's shown dining at a strange, upscale gathering filled with unsettling undertones, which was allegedly a symbolic callout against Diddy. At the time, Bieber also posted a series of images featuring pizza and babies to promote the song, further fueling online speculation. Now, as Diddy faces serious federal charges and connections to controversial figures like alleged Epstein associate Rachel Chandler come to light, Crokin said that Justin is once again taking a subtle dig at his former mentor. Justin Bieber posted a video yesterday of himself eating a slice of pizza as Cassie Ventura took the stand at Diddy's trial. The video looks like it was taken from a surveillance camera — you know like the cameras Diddy used to tape Freak Off parties for blackmail purposes.… Fans concerned about Justin Bieber In the midst of these resurfacing claims and ongoing legal chaos surrounding Diddy, fans have started voicing concerns about Justin Bieber's current state. His recent behaviour on social media has been particularly alarming, with some wondering if he's silently struggling. A set of photos he posted featuring a bong caught attention online, and his appearances at Coachella, where he seemed dazed and disconnected in several videos, only added to the speculation.
