Copyright Newsweek
Right-wing influencer Catturd has sparked a reaction from people associated with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement after he said he is facing a legal matter that is "1,000 times worse" than swatting. Writing on X on Saturday, Catturd, whose real name is Phillip Buchanan, said he was experiencing a legal issue "way" worse than swatting, a prank in which someone poses as someone who has committed a crime so that emergency services are tricked into responding to another person's address with a heavy police presence. Catturd did not expand on what that legal matter was and said he would provide further details "when I can." Newsweek contacted Catturd's podcast by website form outside of normal business hours for comment. Why It Matters Catturd is a significant online influencer associated with the MAGA movement who has interviewed significant Republican figures including Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The account has over 3.9 million followers and regularly weighs in on a range of political issues. What To Know Writing on X, Catturd said that "the s*** hit the fan" and when asked by another user what he was referring to, he replied: "It's a legal matter I'll tell you when I can." In another post he said: "Sorry I didn't tweet much today. Just want to say stuff happened today and God is good." "It's a miracle I'm still here," he said in another post, and when another X user wrote: "Oh no I hope you didn't get swatted again," he replied: "Way worst [sic]." Another user wrote: "Please tell me you were not swatted again," and he replied "1,000 times worse." MAGA figures reacted with outrage. An account called 0Hour, who Catturd said had supported him, wrote: "I'm not Catturd I will find you and make sure you sit in a jail cell. Unlike Catturd, I have the skills and crew to find you. F*** around and find out." In another post he wrote: "There was an emergency a delicate matter I’m not allowed to speak on it. This has to do with Catturd and others. You will know soon enough wait for his post." Wall Street Apes, an account with 1.2 million followers said: "This is why everyone needs to stay anonymous. Glad you’re OK my friend." An account called WokeSlayerDave said: "We need to have each other’s back." Trevor Thacker, an account with over 14,000 followers, wrote: "Brother, I’m a good 14 hours away by car, but I can be there in around an hour by plane…You just lemme know…Most of these folks have never encountered a pissed-off hillbilly!!!" It comes after, in March, Catturd said that he was "swatted again for the fourth time" at his home. He also said that two previous "swatters" who had targeted him were now in prison because of these activities. What People Are Saying Catturd wrote on March 14: "I was just swatted again for the fourth time. As I tweeted earlier, I live in the middle of nowhere and know all the cops here (because of the past swattings). They knew what it was immediately and just called me and sent one officer, who I just had a great conversation with. Really nice guy. My last two swatters are sitting in prison right now. This new one will be joining them soon." What Happens Next Catturd has said he will release further information about his legal situation in due course.
