FBI probes after White Women For Kamala Zoom speaker faces death threats over 'dystopian' speech

Arielle Fodor has gained over a million followers on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.


Pop Culture & Art August 19, 2024
Courtesy: Reuters

Last month’s highly discussed “White Women For Kamala” Zoom event has triggered an FBI investigation and court hearing after one of the participants received numerous death threats, harassing calls, and “doxxing” attacks.

Former teacher turned social media influencer, Arielle Fodor, has gained over a million followers for her blend of comedy and educational commentary on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

In her popular recurring bit, Fodor — using her “Mrs. Frazzled” persona — playfully mocks stereotypical non-PC family members by portraying them as toddlers who struggle to get along with others, using her kindergarten teaching techniques to manage their behavior.

When “White Women For Kamala” organizer Shannon Watts invited Fodor to speak about how the target audience should engage with social media users of color leading up to the election, Fodor mixed sincere advice with her “Mrs. Frazzled” routine, suggesting viewers “use their listening ears” in conversations with diverse followers.

However, some prominent online right-wing figures, including X owner Elon Musk and Daily Wire commentator Ben Shapiro, didn’t seem to understand the satire and appeared to take Fodor’s speech literally, as if she was actually addressing the Zoom attendees as if they were toddlers.

Once these influencers' followers discovered her videos gently mocking imaginary right-wing family members, they became enraged.

The speech was criticized as “woke,” “dystopian,” and compared to “a ‘Black Mirror’ episode,” referencing Charlie Brooker’s dark satire on technology and politics.

Fodor now reports that after receiving harassing phone calls, having pizzas sent to her home — likely to show they knew her address — and threats to release her personal information online, she had to contact the authorities. She received a total of 11 death threats.

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