WIRED Roundup: Groypers Are Going Mainstream

Published: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10:00 am

BNN Roundup: Far-Right Influencer Nick Fuentes Gains Mainstream Traction

This week on WIRED's Uncanny Valley podcast, the focus was on the rising influence of Nick Fuentes, a far-right influencer. Fuentes, known for his controversial views and online following, has seen a surge in popularity, particularly following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Fuentes, who leads the America First Movement, has been a prominent figure in the far-right for years. His online presence has grown significantly, with increases in followers on platforms like X and Rumble.

The podcast also discussed the increasing influence of tech billionaire Larry Ellison in the political sphere. Ellison's relationship with President Trump has become increasingly close, with some sources even referring to him as a "shadow president." Ellison's support for Republicans, including his early backing of Tim Scott, and his investments in the tech sector, particularly through OpenAI's new data center initiative, have solidified his position in Trump's orbit.

The podcast also touched on the controversial topic of DNA collection by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). According to a report, CBP has been collecting the DNA of at least 2,000 people, including American citizens and minors, and uploading this information to the FBI's CODIS system. Experts have raised concerns about the program operating outside of legal statutes and lacking sufficient oversight.

BNN's Perspective: The rise of figures like Nick Fuentes, coupled with the increasing influence of tech billionaires and the potential for government overreach in data collection, highlights the complex challenges facing our society. While diverse opinions are essential, the spread of extremist ideologies and the concentration of power in the hands of a few warrant careful scrutiny and a commitment to upholding democratic values.

Keywords: Nick Fuentes, far-right, Groypers, Charlie Kirk, Trump, Larry Ellison, OpenAI, Stargate, CBP, DNA collection, data centers, politics, social media, extremism, white nationalism.

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