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January 06, 2021 08:38 PM UTC

Gazette Editorial Page Editor: Trump Mob Was 'Probably Antifa'

  • 10 Comments
  • by: Jason Salzman

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Wayne Laugesen.

In a Facebook exchange today, the editorial page editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette wrote of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol: “They looked nothing like members of the typical Trump rally crowd. Probably Antifa.”

The Editor, Wayne Laugesen, did not respond to inquiries via email and Facebook Messenger asking for evidence for his view that the mobsters were likely Antifa, a left-wing protest group. There is no evidence of Antifa involvement.

The Colorado Springs Gazette, owned by conservative billionaire Phil Anschutz, has criticized right-wing activists, like those at the Capitol today.

In one editorial, possibly penned by Laguesen, the newspaper criticized Republicans for being “sore losers” for trying to recall Democratic lawmakers.

“Our country chooses representation with fair, civilized, regulated elections,” wrote the Gazette in October of 2019. “Losers in that process should focus on winning the next time, not on changing the last election’s results. Sore losers, from both parties, look ridiculous.”

Laugesen’s comment today appeared in a Facebook post of his wife, Dede Laugesen, a former Trump campaign staffer who recently promoted election fraud conspiracies at pro-Trump rally in December.

Today she posted photos of the rally outside the U.S. Capitol along with a statement: “Amazing day in D.C. While I don’t condone violence and always support the Blue, it was good to be with fellow Americans who want to be heard and want free & fair elections. ‘We the People’ ask for an audit of the questionable ballots. If there’s no fraud, then, no problem.”

An apparent Trump supporter carrying a pitchfork stands on the Capitol steps. Photo by Dede Laugesen.

One of Dede Laugesen’s photo showed a man holding a pitchfork decorated with a small upside-down American flag standing on the steps of the Capitol. When the CTR noted that carrying a pitchfork isn’t peaceful protest, Laugesen responded, “Pitch forks don’t hurt people. People hurt people. This person with a pitch fork didn’t hurt anyone I saw.” She did not respond to whether or not she believed he was a member of Antifa.

Facebook commenters criticized Dede Laugesen for the “amazing-day” comment and for apparently crossing barriers set up around the Capitol to get closer to the building.

“She went through no barriers and broke no laws,” Laugesen stated. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

One commenter then posted a Gazette AP photo showing “Trump Supporters” apparently trying to pull away a barrier amid the crowd.

In response to one Facebook commenter who wrote that Dede Laugesen should “go home,” Wayne Laugesen replied, “Don’t you dare tell Dede to ‘go home.’ She works here. Who the hell are you to tell her what to do? Serious question. I thought you were a friend, but not if you talk to my wife like that. NOBODY talks to my wife like that.”

Wayne Laugesen commented that he too was at the Capitol, and no barriers were crossed by his wife. Commenting on a post on his own Facebook page, Laugesen rejected an accusation that he was part of the pro-Trump mob, saying “I come to D.C. for work.”

Erik Maulbetsch contributed to this report.

Comments

10 thoughts on “Gazette Editorial Page Editor: Trump Mob Was ‘Probably Antifa’

  1. Sure, cause Antifa always wear MAGA hats and hold Trump flags. Dumbass. I suppose Laugesen is going to accuse the rioters of wearing “whiteface”, too. 

    The real “anti-fascists” today were the Capitol police who drove the mob out, and the legislators who got right back to work certifying the election after the Capitol was cleared. 

    1. I wonder about Laugesen's news judgment if he convinced himself that anti-fa people were "probably" at fault based on what he saw.

      Assuming there are criminal charges, I wonder how far people will look into social media and public statements to find sources of specific planning to invade the Capitol building.  And I wonder if there will be announcements of the groups the people affiliate with.

       

      1. WOTD: Agitprop.

        Laugesen is a propagandist creating disinformation in order to deceive the readers of the Gazette.

        In other words, the lying is intentional.

  2. Hardly any surprise where Anschutz stands — another Ttump mob enabler enjoying watching the destruction he fosters via his minions from the plush comfort of a luxury box seat.

    Scum everywhere.

    “Probably antifa” — journalism? No. God damnit. But, “working”? Sure is; it’s exactly the work he’s hired to do.

    If Anschutz had any decency, this Laugesen POS would be canned today. He won’t be . . .

  3. So we’re supposed to believe that the people who have been posting all over social media for weeks about violently contesting the election results, talking about lynchings and civil war were just LARPing and full of shit? Despite the fact that they were posting selfies and videos of themselves in the act. 

  4. Votes were counted, recounted, and audited. Trump’s handpicked henchmen could find no evidence of fraud and no fraud was presented in 60 court cases. Another audit would be pointless. Just as with the election, they will not accept any result that they don’t lilke. 

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