Last September, in the chaotic first presidential debate between then-President Donald Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden, Trump sparked outcry for an answer regarding the Proud Boys, a pro-Trump extremist militia known for its ties to white supremacist violence.
Asked if he would condemn them, Trump infamously instructed them to "stand back and stand by." The Proud Boys were thrilled with his message and soon began selling merchandise with his instructions.
What's more, they heeded his call.
After months of lies that widespread election fraud orchestrated by Democrats secured a false victory for Biden, Trump instructed his followers to descend upon the Capitol during a joint session of Congress to nationally certify Biden's victory.
These pro-Trump extremists then laid siege upon the Capitol, smashing windows, smearing excrement across the walls, and contributing to the deaths of at least five people.
Multiple Proud Boys members have been arrested for taking part in the riots and subsequent reporting indicates the group saw Trump's election lies as a call to action, a call to no longer "stand by."
After national disgust, Trump condemned the violence and—despite requests from some of the rioters—offered no pardons to them before leaving office.
Now—according to a report from Sheera Frenkel and Alan Feuer of the New York Times—the Proud Boys are souring on Trump for leaving office and for condemning the violence committed in his name.
According to the Times:
"In dozens of conversations on social media sites like Gab and Telegram, members of the group have begun calling Mr. Trump a 'shill' and 'extraordinarily weak,' ... They have also urged supporters to stop attending rallies and protests held for Mr. Trump or the Republican Party."
The Proud Boys said in a Telegram message:
"Trump will go down as a total failure."
The once-devout reverence for Trump by the Proud Boys seems to be evaporating, though the group's self-described "ultranationalist" positions have not.
Twitter reacted strongly to their disillusionment.
Many mocked them for investing so much in a devotion that ultimately went unreturned.
The future of the Proud Boys movement is unclear, but their threat to swathes of Americans is still present.
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter