Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Pro-Trumpers' Latest Bonkers Theory Involves Biden Hiring A Mob Boss Named 'Skinny Joey' To Fabricate Ballots

Pro-Trumpers' Latest Bonkers Theory Involves Biden Hiring A Mob Boss Named 'Skinny Joey' To Fabricate Ballots
Alex Wong/Getty Images; JIM WATSON/Getty Images

The latest conservative conspiracy theory trying to explain why Donald Trump lost the 2020 election involves infamous Philadelphia mob boss "Skinny Joey," who they claim was hired by Joe Biden to fabricate thousands of ballots.

The already-debunked conspiracy theory was spread online by Jordan Sekulow, the son of prominent Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow.


Of course, the claim has no basis in reality. "Skinny Joey" Merlino himself even weighed in to say he's not cooperating "with anybody," including Biden.


For good measure, Merlino's lawyer even threw in this statement:

"My client categorically denies all the allegations and Joey would rather die than ever be a snitch."

According to the false theory, Merlino was paid $10 per ballot and worked with a team for 60 consecutive hours to create 300,000 illegal ballots for Joe Biden.

Merlino thought the people claiming these things were "out of control."


On Twitter, the "Skinny Joey" conspiracy theory was mercilessly mocked by everyone with sense.


After reading about his alleged involvement in the election, Merlino reportedly told his lawyer:

"These people are crazy!"


Even Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who's well known for peddling many insane conspiracy theories, felt the one involving "Skinny Joey" may be a bit too much to believe.

Giuliani commented:

"There is an allegation about a mobster, but I think it's a far-fetched one."


Merlino is currently serving a "supervised release" sentence in Florida after striking a plea deal in 2018. He has been reportedly "out of the mob life" since 2013.

Though "Skinny Joey" notably endorsed Trump's hatred of "snitches" in 2017, his support of the President stops there.

More from People/donald-trump

Screenshots from @mike.ali32's TikTok video
@mike.ali32/TikTok

TikToker Goes Viral For Yelling Out Fast Food Slogans After Buying Their Food—And The Reactions Are Priceless

We're supposed to go through life loving the people that we love so loudly that they can never doubt how much we love them. Maybe that's how we should approach the things and companies we love, too.

At least, that seems to be the approach that TikToker @mike.ali32 is taking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @withethanlap's TikTok video
@withethanlap/TikTok

Guy Turns His Pregnant Wife's Extreme Text Messages Into A Hilariously Perfect Pop Punk Song—And It's A Banger

Anyone who has gone through pregnancy or is close to someone who has knows that the symptoms are truly no joke, and going from one day to the next can feel like an absolute rollercoaster.

Comedian and TikToker Ethan Lapierre's wife shared with him some of her symptoms, sometimes texting him that she was hungry but couldn't eat, and other times feeling like she was dying.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @missyhalleonig's TikTok video
@missyhalleonig/TikTok

A New Parenting Hack For Getting Toddlers To Stop Their Tantrums Has People In Disbelief That It Actually Kinda Works

Parents might not want to admit it, but when their toddlers are tantruming, there's nothing quite like finding a way to hilariously redirect or confuse them to help stop the tears.

In a hilarious parenting hack that's taking over TikTok, videos are appearing that all mysteriously star a woman named "Jessica," though no one can seem to find her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @legallyswifite13's TikTok video
@legallyswifite13/TikTok

Woman Sparks Debate After Accusing Frontier Airlines Of Kicking Her Off Flight For Being Deaf

Let this Frontier Airlines saga be a reminder to all of us that not all disabilities and needs are visible, so when a person requests accommodations, it's better to believe them.

TikToker @legallyswiftie13 posted in 2024 that, though she was in her early twenties, she discovered that she would be rapidly losing her hearing, which was discovered at a routine medical check-up. Though she could still speak and hear, it would become increasingly difficult for her to hear, especially when there were competing noises in the area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ben Sasse
60 Minutes/CBS News

Former GOP Senator Gets Brutal Wakeup Call After Criticizing People For Playing 'Candy Crush' Instead Of 'Making Babies'

Ben Sasse represented Nebraska in the United States Senate from 2015 to 2023. As a Midwestern moderate, the sometimes controversial Sasse was often critical of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump on social media and on the Senate floor.

At one point, the Nebraska GOP censured him because of his criticism of Trump. But Sasse, like Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, would still vote with the majority of his party when his vote was needed to back Trump's agenda.

Keep ReadingShow less