The identity of the MAGA influencer known as “Black Insurrectionist” may have finally been revealed — and he’s seemingly a white guy from upstate New York.
The X account with nearly 350,000 followers has been linked to Jason G. Palmer, who also allegedly owes $6.7 million in back taxes to the state of New York, according to The Associated Press.
The account purports to be run by a Black veteran whose bio reads, “I FOLLOW BACK TRUE PATRIOTS.” It’s been used to spread lies about Democratic candidates, including supposed evidence that Kamala Harris was told what questions she’d be asked prior to her debate with Trump.
The Black Insurrectionist has also posted false but very serious abuse allegations against her running mate, Tim Walz — a rumor that specialists said earlier this week came from a Russian disinformation campaign.
Palmer, 51, confessed to The Associated Press that he was once involved with the Black Insurrectionist account, but said he didn’t create it and doesn’t “know what is going on” with it now. He said he worked on the account with a friend who is Black, but whose name he declined to reveal. He also claimed he sold the account last spring, but wouldn’t identify the alleged buyer either.
Palmer has repeatedly been accused of defrauding business partners, according to the AP, which reports his home was once raided by the FBI. He has also allegedly struggled with drug addiction.
The widow of a man who reportedly had a business relationship with Palmer said he roped her husband into bad deals and still owes her “a ton of money.” Palmer refuted her claims.
Rochester bankruptcy attorney Maureen Bass said she wasn’t surprised to learn Palmer was linked to the conspiracy theory account. She said she also had dealings with Palmer while working on a commercial foreclosure, and claimed he emailed her a rambling “manifesto” about being victimized by government officials, which he called the “axis of evil.”
The Black Insurrectionist X account was deactivated last week, mere hours after the AP first tried to contact Palmer.