What Next | Daily News and Analysis The Right’s Minneapolis Outrage Machine
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Jan 23, 2026 
Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark, sheds light on the interplay between right-wing influencers and government actions, highlighting how online narratives shape federal responses in Minneapolis and beyond. He discusses the escalation of protests from Portland to other cities, the viral impact of influencer content, and troubling government alignments with far-right themes. Sommer warns of a playbook emerging for future political battlegrounds, with California on the horizon, fueled by social media dynamics and misinformation.
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Viral Image Of A Terrified Child
- Lizzie O'Leary describes seeing viral photos of five-year-old Liam Ramos after ICE agents approached his family in Minneapolis.
- She stood watching her own sleeping five-year-old, showing how the images hit parents personally and spread on social feeds.
Influencer-Government Feedback Loop
- Will Sommer explains a feedback loop where right-wing influencers shape federal action and receive promotion from the administration.
- That loop turns influencer stunts into policy responses like sending more ICE agents to cities.
Nick Shirley's Viral Daycare Sting
- Will Sommer recounts Nick Shirley's video at Somali daycares that accused facilities of fraud and was amplified on X.
- Elon Musk's platform boost made it the most viewed video ever on X and kickstarted federal actions in Minneapolis.