Whale Large Capital
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Business
  • Investing

Whale Large Capital

Politics

Pro-Trump ‘troll’ who spread Hillary text-to-vote memes in 2016 has conviction tossed by appeals court

by July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025
Pro-Trump ‘troll’ who spread Hillary text-to-vote memes in 2016 has conviction tossed by appeals court

An appeals court has reversed the conviction of a pro-Trump influencer charged with spreading false information on social media to suppress Democratic voter turnout during the 2016 election, voiding conspiracy charges and a monthslong federal prison sentence handed down by a jury in Brooklyn, New York.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Wednesday unanimously voided the conviction of Douglass Mackey on federal conspiracy charges and remanded the case back to the U.S. Court in the Eastern District of New York to enter a new judgment of acquittal.

The unanimous three-judge panel said in their ruling that ‘no rational jury’ could have found that Mackey, 36, ‘knowingly’ joined others in an illegal conspiracy aimed at influencing the outcome of the 2016 election or depriving people of their right to vote.

‘The jury’s verdict and the resulting judgment of conviction must be set aside,’ Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston wrote.

The verdict is a win for Mackey, a self-styled right-wing influencer and self-described ‘troll,’ who amassed roughly 58,000 followers on Twitter in the run-up to the 2016 election. 

Mackey, who used the handle ‘Ricky Vaughn,’ used his account to post false information designed to support then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, including memes designed to look like Hillary Clinton ads that told voters they could submit their ballots via text message.

Mackey was convicted in 2023 on conspiracy charges and sentenced to seven months in federal prison.

The three-judge panel ruled Wednesday that Mackey’s posts, including the false memes he posted, were not sufficient evidence to prove that he had violated U.S. conspiracy laws, ‘even assuming that he did so with the intent to injure other citizens in the exercise of their right to vote,’ they said. 

‘The government was obligated to show that Mackey knowingly entered into an agreement with other people to pursue that objective,’ Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston and Judges Reena Raggi and Beth Robinson wrote. ‘This the government failed to do.’

The decision was praised by Mackey, who immediately posted on social media about the verdict.

‘HALLELUJAH!’ Mackey said on X after the appellate court ruling on Wednesday. Mackey proceeded to thank God, his family, wife, lawyers and others who supported him during the trial in subsequent posts. He then threatened to pursue legal action over his conviction.

‘Now we sue,’ he said.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome
next post
Comer dismisses Biden doctor’s bid for pause in cover-up probe: ‘Throwing out every excuse’

You may also like

Canadians panic over ‘American oppression’ after discovering longstanding...

February 25, 2025

Melania Trump speaks on Capitol Hill for first...

March 3, 2025

Feds accused of destroying Epstein evidence put on...

March 14, 2025

Trump tells world leader election gives him a...

November 12, 2024

Lindsey Graham to push ‘bone-breaking sanctions and tariffs’...

March 12, 2025

Vast majority of Americans support photo ID requirement...

October 24, 2024

Trump energy plan will avoid Europe’s energy disaster

January 8, 2025

Inside the Situation Room, where Trump and his...

June 20, 2025

Ivanka Trump’s inauguration gown gives nod to Audrey...

January 23, 2025

DOGE targets Medicare agency, looking for fraud

February 5, 2025

    Subscribe today to receive exclusive access to all our retirement secrets and income strategies, including special financial news and updates from our experts. From time to time, our newsletters feature valuable insights and analysis on the latest financial trends. Don't miss out on these exclusive updates – join our subscription to stay informed!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.



    Latest

    • Duffy just got an additional job in Trump’s administration — and he’s not the only one wearing multiple hats

      July 10, 2025
    • ‘It will happen quickly’: State Dept poised to act after Supreme Court green-lights agency layoffs

      July 10, 2025
    • Hegseth tears up red tape, orders Pentagon to begin drone surge at Trump’s command

      July 10, 2025
    • SCOOP: Sen Ron Johnson readies subpoenas for FBI, DOJ in Butler shooting probe

      July 10, 2025
    • Jackson defends controversial, fiery SCOTUS dissents as telling people ‘how I feel’

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters renovation

      July 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (714)
    • Investing (661)
    • Politics (4,860)
    • World News (3,213)
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact us
    • About us

    Disclaimer: WhaleLargeCapital.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 WhaleLargeCapital.com | All Rights Reserved