A viral photo that sent right-wing influencers into an Election Day frenzy had a far less sinister explanation than they claimed.
The photo, which the right-wing Alpha News reported a voter took Saturday at a polling site in Rogers, Minnesota, shows an election judge wearing a "Problem Solved" T-shirt streaked with fake blood. On Tuesday, the city said the judge wore it as Halloween attire with "absolutely no political message or intent" behind it. Officials added that the judge gave them permission to disclose that they serve as one of the city's Republican election judges under a state party-balance requirement.
Before the city weighed in, a parade of conservative voices demanded punishment. "This person should be in handcuffs on federal charges," right-wing Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh posted on X, adding that it "should be the kind of decision that ruins her life" and urging the Justice Department to act "immediately."
Republican Minnesota state Rep. Walter Hudson argued the judge "should be under arrest for voter intimidation," while right-wing provocateur James O'Keefe, in an apparent reference to his recent criminal charges for allegedly posing as a registered voter, complained that it was illegal for him to ask questions at polling locations yet "THIS is allowed." He then urged election judges and poll workers in the state to send him tips.
According to misinformation reporter Brandy Zadrozny, right-wing outlet Gateway Pundit and influencer Jack Posobiec went further, claiming the shirt celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Zadrozny pointed out that it's a years-old Halloween novelty shirt and that the photo was snapped on Halloween itself. An Amazon listing markets the same design as a women's Halloween shirt.
The city determined the shirt didn't run afoul of Minnesota's ban on party or campaign messaging at polling places, though officials said the judge would have been asked to remove or cover it had they known about the perceived political connection at the time.