Fact check: How many mass shootings have been linked to far-right ideologies since 2020

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided do not give a direct answer to the question of how many mass shootings have been linked to far-right ideologies since 2020 ^[1]. However, they do offer some insights into the scope of extremist-related violence in the United States. According to one source, right-wing terrorists account for over half of the murders in terrorist attacks on US soil since 2020 ^[1]. Another source reports 29 extremist-related murders in 2021, with 26 of those committed by right-wing extremists ^[2]. Additionally, a source notes that there have been 62 extremist-connected mass killing incidents since 1970, resulting in at least 420 deaths, with all 25 extremist-related murders in 2022 being committed by right-wing extremists ^[3]. The lack of a comprehensive breakdown of mass shootings linked to far-right ideologies since 2020 is a significant gap in the information provided. Some sources touch on the topic of mass shootings, but do not provide specific data on the number of incidents linked to far-right ideologies since 2020 ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• The sources provided do not offer a clear definition of what constitutes a "mass shooting" or how it differs from other forms of extremist-related violence ^[1].
• There is limited information on the specific ideologies behind the mass shootings, with most sources focusing on the broader category of "right-wing extremism" ^[2].
• Alternative viewpoints, such as the role of mental health or societal factors in mass shootings, are not thoroughly explored in the analyses ^[4].
• Some sources suggest that the media's framing of mass shootings as a social problem may influence public perception, but this aspect is not fully developed ^[4].
• The historical context of extremist-related violence in the United States, such as the fact that right-wing terrorists account for 11% of the total murders in terrorist attacks on US soil since 1975, is mentioned in some sources ^[1].
• The potential impact of political rhetoric and social changes on the rise of political violence, particularly on the right, is discussed in some analyses ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be subject to bias due to its focus on far-right ideologies, potentially overlooking the complexity of extremist-related violence ^[1].

• The lack of a clear definition of "mass shooting" and "far-right ideologies" may lead to inconsistencies in the data ^[2].
• Some sources may benefit from emphasizing the role of right-wing extremism in mass shootings, such as advocacy groups or researchers with a specific agenda ^[3].
• On the other hand, sources that downplay the significance of far-right ideologies in mass shootings may also have their own biases, such as political motivations or a desire to avoid stigmatizing certain groups ^[1].
• The media's framing of mass shootings as a social problem may influence public perception and policy decisions, potentially benefiting certain groups or ideologies ^[4].
• Researchers and advocacy groups focusing on the rise of political violence, particularly on the right, may benefit from increased attention and funding for their work ^{[5] [1] [2] [3] [2] [6] [4] [1] [7] [5]}.