SWATTING attacks against right-wing influencers on X continues

Over the past two weeks, from March 3 to March 17, 2025, there has been a notable surge in swatting incidents targeting right-wing social media influencers on X. Swatting, a dangerous prank involving fake emergency calls that prompt armed police responses, has affected multiple prominent conservative figures. Here’s the latest update, including all reported victims within this timeframe, now with @Beard_Vet added to the list following his recent post.

The wave of incidents began intensifying around March 11, with several influencers reporting swatting attempts. Chase Geiser, an Infowars host, was swatted twice within 12 hours on March 11-12, with police arriving at his home after a fake call claiming he threatened to kill his family. Joe Pagliarulo (Joe Pags), a Texas-based radio host, was targeted in the early hours of March 12; he captured footage of an armed officer at his door responding to a fabricated disturbance report. On March 13, Gunther Eagleman, a social media influencer with 1.3 million X followers, reported a swatting incident involving a fake hostage situation at his home. That same day, Nick Sortor, a right-wing journalist, revealed that his father and sister were swatted, with police responding to a false claim that his father was killing his family. Also on March 13, @RealHickory was swatted, as noted by @Beard_Vet, though he and his family remained safe.

The incidents continued into March 14, when Catturd, a pro-Trump account with over 3.4 million followers, reported being swatted for the fourth time. Shawn Farash, a Trump impersonator, was swatted alongside his wife on the night of March 13-14 in Tennessee, describing the attacks as "coordinated." Journalist Breanna Morello confirmed additional victims that day, including Benny Johnson and five others who received unsolicited pizza deliveries (a potential precursor to swatting), though some chose to remain anonymous. Mike Engleman, brother of Gunther Eagleman, was swatted early on March 14 in Indiana, with police arriving armed and ready to use force.

The spree persisted into March 16, when three more influencers were targeted:

@matt_vanswol

@GrageDustin

@Beard_Vet

@Beard_Vet

 posted on March 16, "Welp… Add me to the SWATTED List," confirming he was swatted that evening, bringing the total number of known incidents higher. Posts on X from users like @DataRepublican and @JacobRi87428153 highlighted these latest events, expressing concern about escalating copycat attacks against pro-MAGA figures.

In response, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on March 14 that the agency is investigating this "dangerous trend," emphasizing collaboration with local law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable. No arrests have been reported as of March 17, 2025, but the FBI has noted at least 10 swatting incidents on March 13 alone. The list of targeted influencers over the past two weeks now includes:

• Chase Geiser (March 11-12)

• Joe Pagliarulo (Joe Pags) (March 12)

• Gunther Eagleman (March 13)

• Nick Sortor’s family (March 13)

• @RealHickory

   (March 13)

• Catturd (March 14)

• Shawn Farash (March 13-14)

• Benny Johnson (March 14, per Morello’s report)

• Mike Engleman (March 14)

• @matt_vanswol

   (March 16)

• @GrageDustin

   (March 16)

• @Beard_Vet

   (March 16)

• 
  

This pattern suggests a coordinated effort targeting conservative voices, with some incidents accompanied by tactics like unsolicited pizza deliveries from Domino’s or Papa John’s, as noted by Morello. The situation remains fluid, with authorities actively investigating as of the current date, March 17, 2025. 17GEN4.com