Timcast IRL · November 11, 2020 · 2h 0m
Timcast IRL #163 - Project Veritas PROVES Media Is LYING About Fraud Claims, THIS IS WILD
Episode Recap
In this Timcast IRL episode recorded on November 11, 2020, Tim Pool and co-hosts dive deep into the explosive Project Veritas story involving a USPS whistleblower whose claims about ballot tampering were apparently fabricated. The discussion centers on Richard Hopkins, a Pennsylvania postal worker who initially alleged that a postmaster in Erie instructed workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day. The claims were cited by Senator Lindsey Graham and prompted Attorney General William Barr to authorize federal prosecutors to investigate voting irregularities, a reversal of longstanding Justice Department policy. The episode features audio recordings from Project Veritas revealing federal agents allegedly coercing Hopkins to water down his story, with one agent caught on tape saying he was trying to "twist" Hopkins and deliberately stressing him to affect his memory. Tim discusses the Washington Post report confirming Hopkins recanted his allegations and signed an affidavit. The co-hosts analyze the implications of federal agents seemingly attempting to suppress fraud claims during a contentious election period. Guest Michael Trace also appears to discuss his investigative reporting on riots that received limited media coverage earlier in the year, drawing parallels to the current selective media narratives around election coverage.
TL;DR
- →Project Veritas releases audio of federal agents allegedly coercing USPS whistleblower Richard Hopkins to recant claims of ballot backdating in Erie, Pennsylvania
- →Washington Post reports Hopkins admitted to investigators that his allegations about postmaster instructing workers to backdate ballots were fabricated
- →Audio captures Agent Strasser telling Hopkins 'I am trying to twist you a little bit' and deliberately inducing stress to manipulate his memory
- →Senator Lindsey Graham cited Hopkins' claims in a letter to the Justice Department, prompting AG Barr to authorize federal investigation into voting irregularities
- →Tim and co-hosts analyze how federal agents appear more interested in suppressing fraud allegations than investigating them
- →Guest Michael Trace discusses his nationwide reporting on riots and parallels to selective election coverage
Key Moments
- 0:00Opening and ContextTim sets up the episode discussing the confusing 2020 election results and welcomes guest Michael Trace, who discusses his investigative reporting on riots in small towns
- 15:00Washington Post StoryTim reads the Washington Post article about the Pennsylvania postal worker Richard Hopkins who admitted to fabricating ballot tampering allegations
- 20:00Project Veritas ResponseDiscussion of James O'Keefe's tweet about recording federal agents coercing the whistleblower to change his story
- 25:00Veritas Audio Deep DivePlaying and analyzing the Project Veritas recording where federal agents are heard attempting to manipulate Hopkins through psychological pressure
- 40:00Agent Tactics AnalysisTim and co-hosts break down specific quotes from the audio where agents admit to deliberately scaring and twisting the whistleblower
- 60:00Implications DiscussionPanel discussion on what the federal agents' behavior suggests about the government's interest in investigating versus suppressing election fraud claims
Notable Quotes
“I was like, well, you know, it makes sense. I think people don't like Trump and you got mail-in ballots, young people voting, but now that these polls are coming out, these weird stories, I'm like, what is this? This is wild.”
— Tim Pool · opening discussion about the confusing election results
“The reason they called me in is to try to harness that storm, try to reel it back in before it gets really crazy. Because we have senators involved, we have the Department of Justice involved, we have all... Trump's lawyers team has gotten a hold of me.”
— Tim Pool · quoting federal agents from the Veritas audio attempting to pressure the whistleblower
“I am not scaring you, but I am scaring you. It seems like they were trying to make me distrust y'all.”
— Ian Crossland · playing the Veritas recording where Hopkins describes how agents attempted to manipulate him
“Honestly, I don't think they are. Do you think these federal agents are really interested in investigating fraud? Honestly, I don't think they are.”
— Tim Pool · Hopkins' response when asked if federal agents wanted to investigate election fraud
“We have senators involved, DOJ involved. The reason they called me is to try to harness that storm... I am trying to twist you a little bit because your mind will kick in... we can convince ourselves of a memory.”
— Ian Crossland · federal agent caught on tape explaining psychological manipulation techniques