Report analyzes 27 state and local candidates nationwide, identifying how 69 extremist narratives played a role in their campaign messaging.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Today, the SPLC Action Fund released its second Exposing Extremism in Elections report that uncovers how fringe extremist ideologies have made inroads into mainstream politics.
The previous report observed rhetoric, such as the Great Replacement Theory, Anti-LGBTQ ideology and more, crafted by extremist movements and the political hard right.
“Throughout the 2024 election cycle, American voters were exposed to extremist language spreading bigotry in order to mislead and misinform,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, Intelligence Project interim director, SPLC Action Fund. “Our report documents damning sentiments, such as racial bigotry, against marginalized communities pushed by candidates looking to popularize extremist ideology and make hateful language the norm. We cannot allow hate to dominate politics while pushing aside real discussions on policy.”
From August to November 2024, the SPLC’s Intelligence Project researchers tracked and monitored narratives tied to extremist ideologies that were weaponized against marginalized peoples and communities. Their efforts revealed three new extremist sub-narratives emerged during the general election season, that were not apparent in the primary season.
Key findings from the report include:
- 58 campaign communications came from 27 candidates.
- One in 10 campaign communications represent narratives derived from white nationalist ideology.
- One-quarter of the campaign communications represent anti-immigrant narratives.
- Most candidates represented in this report come from the Southeast.
- Racist stereotypes about Black women’s professional advancement through DEI programs, immigrants’ cultural inferiority and antisemitic tropes about manipulation of public opinion.
- Rhetoric laying the groundwork for challenging the 2024 election as stolen in the event Donald Trump lost.
“The recent election season was marred by hate, racist text messages, anti-immigrant rhetoric, disinformation and fear mongering. Our society cannot progress if politics devolves into a platform for dehumanization. We hope this report serves as both a source of illumination and inspiration, helping to steer American politics toward election campaigns that are free from hate and racism and that focus instead on the factual issues,” concluded Carroll Rivas.
More details on the report are available here.
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About the SPLC Action Fund
SPLC Action Fund is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcactionfund.org.