ROUND UP: Marc Molinaro Continues His Descent into Far-Right Extremism

After spending the month of September spreading brazenly racist, debunked conspiracy theories, vulnerable New York Republican Marc Molinaro is continuing to lean into his downward far-right spiral 19 days out from Election Day.

It's a clear shift that's been noticed by Upstate New York voters and local media alike, as Molinaro continues to embrace everything from vehemently anti-immigrant sentiments to even the support of a self-described 9/11 "conspiracy realist."

As Marc Molinaro continues to reach new lows, here's what Upstate New York communities are reading about their anything but "normal," extremist congressman:

NYT: In Heated House Race, a Moderate Republican Goes Full Trump
Grace Ashford | October 14, 2024

• On the campaign trail, Mr. Riley rails against what he calls profiteering corporations and the politicians who do their bidding.

• Mr. Molinaro takes a different approach, embracing Mr. Trump and leaning heavily on anti-immigrant sentiment.

• Mr. Molinaro's rightward pivot has been noticed by observers across the political spectrum, baffling his allies as well as some institutional supporters.

NY Post: NY Rep. Marc Molinaro unwittingly posts endorsement from 9/11 conspiracy theorist, then deletes it
Carl Campanile | October 15, 2024

• First-term Hudson Valley Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro unwittingly posted an endorsement video from an influencer who's promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories - before deleting the post this week.

• Davis, a self-described "conspiracy realist" with 24,700 followers on Instagram, has raised eyebrows for peddling conspiracy theories about the 9/11 terror attacks.

• On her account, Davis reposted a statement on Sept. 12, 2022, from a major general who said, "I saw a missile hitting the Pentagon, not a plane" - when hijackers really slammed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

• She also posted that 9/11 was "not a random event" and said the collapse of the 47-story building at 7 World Trade Center building would have been "virtually impossible to achieve without explosives and other accelerants."

City & State New York: Marc Molinaro shifts to the right
Austin Jefferson | October 15, 2024

• For years, Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro's career in the Hudson Valley was defined by a common-sense approach to policy and a friendly demeanor, noted by supporters and opponents alike. But as he nears a rematch with Democrat Josh Riley - his third tight congressional race in as many years - he has embraced a coarser version of conservative politics more in line with Donald Trump's MAGA brand.

• For some who have observed his political trajectory, it seems clear that this isn't the same old Marc.

• Molinaro has invited far-right members of Congress to campaign alongside him in New York.

• Observers of the race and longtime followers of Molinaro's career have had some trouble making heads or tails of his behavior.

• A GOP strategist with knowledge of the campaign said that Molinaro seems caught between being the steadfast problem-solver he has been for most of his career, the bulk of which was spent in leadership roles, and life as just another legislator in a polarized and divisive legislative body.

City & State New York: Haitian lawmakers in NY criticize Molinaro for spreading racist conspiracy theory
Rebecca Lewis | September 10, 2024

• On Monday evening, Molinaro shared a screenshot from a right-wing news account about the unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants and used it to attack Riley, his Democratic opponent.

• On social media, Riley called the unfounded rumor shared by Molinaro a "debunked racist conspiracy theory" and demanded he immediately apologize.

• Instead, Molinaro doubled down in a follow up post.

• Reached for comment, Molinaro did not directly address the Haitian elected officials who criticized him over the conspiracy theory, instead minimizing the significance of the fake news that he shared and criticizing this outlet.

Daily Freeman: Molinaro won't back off false pet-eating claim, says 'It took a cat tweet to get attention about a border crisis'
Paul Kirby | September 19, 2024

• Despite a top Ohio official denouncing false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating dogs and cats, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro on Monday did not back off the allegation.

• Early last week, Molinaro re-posted on X the false claim about Haitians eating dogs and cats, with a photo of a man holding a cat.

• Riley replied "This is a debunked racist conspiracy theory," adding that Molinaro "should immediately apologize."

• But Molinaro doubled down on the false claims by reposting Riley's reply with and saying that Riley was "calling Springfield residents liars."

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