TrueAnon

Last updated
TrueAnon
TrueAnon Logo.jpg
Presentation
Hosted by Brace Belden
Liz Franczak
Genre
UpdatesTwice-weekly
Length60–90 minutes
Production
ProductionYung Chomsky
Opening theme"You'd Never Guess" by Yung Chomsky
Composed byYung Chomsky, Angelo Badalamenti
Publication
Original releaseJuly 23, 2019;5 years ago (July 23, 2019)

TrueAnon is an American politics and gossip podcast hosted by Brace Belden and Liz Franczak. The podcast initially focused on deceased financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The title of the podcast is a parody of the QAnon conspiracy theory. [1]

Contents

History and content

TrueAnon is hosted by Brace Belden, a left-wing internet personality notable for fighting with the People's Protection Units in the Syrian Civil War, Liz Franczak, a writer for The Baffler and Deadspin , and produced by the pseudonymous Yung Chomsky. Belden and Franczak met in the early 2000s, through San Francisco's punk music scene. [1] The hosts, who identify as Marxists, [2] developed an interest in the Epstein case after Gawker published the contents of Epstein's personal address book in 2015, which established Epstein's connections to multiple influential figures in politics, finance, intelligence, academia, and entertainment. [3]

Following Epstein's arrest in July 2019, Belden and Franczak noted how many of the details of the Epstein case, such as his connections to U.S. intelligence agencies, were not covered in the mainstream press. [2] TrueAnon was thus conceived to explore how "the fascination with Epstein is part of a larger story about the rot at the heart of the global elite," [2] and how this reveals "larger class antagonisms within the United States." [4]

The first episode of TrueAnon was released on July 23, 2019. [1] Branding itself as "the only non-pedophile podcast," [5] TrueAnon combines elements of the true crime genre and the dirtbag left, the rhetorical style most closely associated with Chapo Trap House defined by "subversive, populist vulgarity." [1] In addition to covering the Epstein case, TrueAnon devotes analysis and discussion to topics such as human trafficking, Medicare for All, Silicon Valley, [2] academia, finance, and non-profit organizations. [1] While TrueAnon covers material that has been described as conspiracy theories, Belden and Franczak assert that the podcast engages in historical materialism, focusing on "the power structures that produced Epstein in the first place" rather than a "fixed theory of Epstein’s death." [1] Notable guests who have appeared on the podcast include Epstein accuser Maria Farmer, [6] journalist Ken Klippenstein, [7] and musician Azealia Banks. [8]

During late 2021 the podcast covered the Ghislaine Maxwell trial daily from the courtroom, summarizing and discussing the days events in an episode for each day of the trial. [9] [10]

In January 2024, TrueAnon released a board game satirizing the January 6 United States Capitol attack. [11] A now-retracted article in The Independent erroneously referred to the podcast as "right-wing". [12]

Reception

TrueAnon has been positively received by critics. GQ described the podcast as possessing a "one-of-a-kind flair you won't get anywhere else," offering praise for the quality of the podcast's research. [13] Journalist Jeet Heer cited TrueAnon as one of the few left-wing outlets to discuss the Epstein case in detail, compared to "the reluctance of the mainstream media to tackle the topic for fear of seeming conspiratorial." [3] Journalist Glenn Greenwald has also offered praise for the podcast and its coverage of the 2016 Nevada caucus. [14]

As of January 2025, TrueAnon is the twelfth-ranked podcast on Patreon, as measured by number of patrons. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Andrew, Duke of York</span> British prince (born 1960)

Prince Andrew, Duke of York is a member of the British royal family. He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a younger brother of King Charles III. Andrew was born second in the line of succession to the British throne and is now eighth, and the first person in the line who is not a descendant of the reigning monarch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Podcast</span> Type of audio digital media

A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. Typically, a podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that users can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing. Podcasts are primarily an audio medium, but some distribute in video, either as their primary content or as a supplement to audio; popularised in recent years by video platform YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carole Radziwill</span> American journalist (born 1963)

Carole Ann Radziwiłł is an American journalist, author, and television personality. Throughout the course of nearly two decades working as a journalist and producer for ABC News, her reporting earned her three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a GLAAD Media Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Epstein</span> American sex offender and financier (1953–2019)

Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and child sex offender. Born and raised in New York City, Epstein began his professional life as a teacher at the Dalton School despite lacking a college degree. After his dismissal from the school in 1976, he entered the banking and finance sector, working at Bear Stearns in various roles before starting his own firm. Epstein cultivated an elite social circle and procured many women and children whom he and his associates sexually abused.

Ian Maxwell is a British businessman and co-founder of the think tank Combating Jihadist Terrorism. In the 1990s, Maxwell was acquitted of charges of criminal financial malpractice relating to the business practices of his father, publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell.

<i>Tell Em Steve-Dave!</i> Comedy podcast

Tell 'Em Steve-Dave!, or simply TESD, is an American comedy podcast, featured previously on the SModcast Podcast Network. It is hosted by View Askew Productions regulars and close friends of Kevin Smith: Bryan Johnson and Walt Flanagan of AMC's Comic Book Men, as well as Brian Quinn of Impractical Jokers. The show is edited by Declan Quinn of Creaky Studios. Previously, Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! was recorded at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey, the location seen in the television show Comic Book Men, and the A Shared Universe PodcaStudio, run by Ming Chen and Mike Zapcic. Currently the podcast records from the TESD Town Studios in Hazlet, NJ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Nathan</span> American judge (born 1972)

Alison Julie Nathan is an American lawyer who has served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since 2022. She served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2011 to 2022. She previously served as associate White House counsel for President Barack Obama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghislaine Maxwell</span> British sex trafficker and former socialite (born 1961)

Ghislaine Noelle Marion Maxwell is a British former socialite and convicted sex offender. She was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with the deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2021. She was sentenced in federal court in New York City to twenty years' imprisonment in June 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The TerraMar Project</span> Environmental organization (2012–2019)

The TerraMar Project was a self-described environmental nonprofit organization. It was founded in 2012 in the United States by convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell. A sister organisation in the United Kingdom was incorporated in 2013. TerraMar (U.S.) announced its closure on 12 July 2019. This was shortly after New York federal prosecutors arrested Maxwell's behind the scenes Boss Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a financier who was being charged with sex trafficking crimes for a second time. TerraMar (UK) was officially dissolved on 3 December 2019.

<i>The Last Podcast on the Left</i> Dark comedy podcast

The Last Podcast on the Left is a weekly podcast on the Last Podcast Network featuring podcast producer and researcher Marcus Parks, comedian and actor Henry Zebrowski, and comedian Ed Larson, three longtime friends. Episodes have explored the topics of serial killers, cults, conspiracy theories, UFO sightings, ghosts, cryptids, the occult, and readings of fan-submitted creepypastas. The name is a reference to the 1972 horror movie The Last House on the Left.

Brace Robert Belden is an American podcaster and union activist who volunteered to serve with the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish militia, in the Syrian Civil War. Belden is also widely known by his former Twitter handle, PissPigGranddad. He is currently the co-host of the podcast TrueAnon with Liz Franczak.

<i>Crime Writers On</i> Podcast that reviews true crime

Crime Writers On... is a twice weekly podcast hosted by four American true crime authors: Rebecca Lavoie, Kevin Flynn, Toby Ball, and Lara Bricker. The podcast started on December 12, 2014, as a commentary on and review of the hit true crime podcast Serial. Crime Writers On grew to cover journalism and a variety of crime-related pop culture topics including other podcasts, films, and television shows. The panel often provides updates on the real life cases discussed in previous episodes as they develop.

Virginia Louise Giuffre is an American-Australian campaigner who offers support to victims of sex trafficking. She is an alleged victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre created Victims Refuse Silence, a non-profit based in the United States, in 2015, which was relaunched under the name Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) in November 2021. She has given a detailed account to many American and British reporters about her experiences of being trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

<i>Dissect</i> (podcast) Music podcast about Hip Hop

Dissect is a music podcast that debuted in 2016 and is hosted by Cole Cuchna. The podcast is renowned for its in-depth analysis of contemporary music. Dissect was named "Best podcast of 2017" by Quartz, and the following year was named "Best podcast of 2018" by The New York Times. Additionally, both Time magazine and The Guardian listed Dissect as one of the top 50 podcasts of 2018.

<i>Cum Town</i> American comedy podcast (2016–2022)

Cum Town was a comedy podcast that was hosted by New York City-based comedians Nick Mullen, Stavros Halkias, and Adam Friedland, and produced between 2016 and 2022. During its run, it was consistently one of the most popular podcasts on Patreon and concluded as one of the top 25 comedy podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. In July 2022, it was succeeded by Mullen and Friedland's spin-off podcast and interview show The Adam Friedland Show.

<i>Surviving Jeffrey Epstein</i> USA documentary television miniseries

Surviving Jeffrey Epstein is an American documentary television miniseries about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern. It consists of 4-episodes and premiered on August 9, 2020, on Lifetime.

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy/sports podcast hosted by sports journalist and academic Steffan Garrero with comedians Elis James and Mike Bubbins. It was created in response to the lack of live sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epstein's Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell is an American documentary television miniseries revolving around Ghislaine Maxwell and her association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It consists of three episodes and premiered in the United States on June 24, 2021, on Peacock and in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2021, on Sky Documentaries.

<i>Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell?</i> 2022 American-British documentary television miniseries

Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell? is a 2022 American-British documentary television miniseries revolving around British sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, directed by Erica Gornall. It consists of 3 episodes and premiered in the United States on June 26, 2022, on Starz, and in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2022, on Channel 4.

<i>Friends at the Table</i> Actual play podcast

Friends at the Table is an actual play podcast hosted by Austin Walker. The podcast has been active since September 2014, and episodes are released weekly. The collaboration between the gamemaster and the players is a major component of the show, in contrast to many tabletop role-playing games where the gamemaster has total control over worldbuilding.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beckwith, Caleb (3 March 2020). "Epstein Brain is for the People". San Francisco Museum of Modern Art . Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Goldstein, Sam Jaffe (30 January 2020). "Jeffrey Epstein Is a Feature of Our System: A Conversation with Liz Franczak and Brace Belden, Hosts of 'Trueanon'". The Los Angeles Review of Books . Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 Heer, Jeet (18 November 2019). "Jeffrey Epstein Isn't Going Away". The Nation . Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  4. ↑ Amato, Natalli (9 November 2019). "Useful Idiots: TrueAnon's Liz Franczak on Epstein Saga". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "TrueAnon on Apple Podcasts". iTunes. Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "TrueAnonPod -- Maria Farmer". May 8, 2020. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ "TrueAnonPod -- D. H. Ass". July 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Episode 70: Azealia". Soundcloud. TrueAnon. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "👁️ Ghislaine Maxwell Trial: Day 18 👁️". Archived from the original on 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  10. ↑ "This is the best way to follow the Elizabeth Holmes and Ghislaine Maxwell trials". 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  11. ↑ Fung, Katherine (January 2, 2024). "'Storm the Capitol's Board Board Game Lets People Fight Police, Steal Artifacts". Newsweek .
  12. ↑ Neath, Amelia (January 3, 2024). "New 'Storm the Capitol' board game celebrates Jan 6 riot". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024.
  13. ↑ Groundwater, Colin; Schultz, Zlex (29 April 2020). "The Best Podcasts to Listen to During Self-Isolation". GQ . Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  14. ↑ Greenwald, Glenn [@ggreenwald] (17 February 2020). "Episode 38 of @TrueAnonPod (yes, I've become a bit obsessed) has a great and highly factual review of the cheating shenanigans of the DNC in 2016 for those wanting to know what to expect. Arguably the worst cheating was in the Nevada caucus" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ "Top Patreon Creators".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.