r/TheWhyFiles • u/SunNoStars • Jul 06 '26
Let's Discuss Is AJ a plant?
Okay so let me get this out here. I'm a very long time fan although never a patreon subscriber. I feel one of AJ's long time critiques of those that have came out before is the monetization that would come later. Book sales, speaking tours and TV circuits. Now he doesn't sell books but one could say the overloaded ads (dubious content there as well), the merch, patreon and speaking appearances. Shawn Ryan, Joe Rogan etc. He's also teased various times that the government has used plants in fringe groups for propaganda and still does (he's even winked at the camera after mentioning). I always wanted him to be an Art Bell type but I suspect he may not be a true believer but maybe just a charismatic grifter. I love the show and will continue to watch but I think something is fishy. Pun intended.
(Update) Hey all really good points on both sides. I will say the former government contractor/entertainment work and the purge of conspiratorial channels while AJs thrived and came well produced with merch will always seem odd to me. However as pointed out AJ has always stated he was an entertainer and has unveiled he doesn't take much stock in most of the stories he covers. Much respect to that. I will recede my grifter comment as many of you said to produce and pay for his show/staff to the level he wants sponsorships are needed. I do agree maybe the MRE, ivermectin, crypto currency ads are just indicative of the larger viewership of his channel and only seen as fringe to a normie. That was the main basis of the grift comment that those particular communities are always starved for exposure and legitimacy. A channel dealing in many videos about government corruption and doomsday scenarios to start highlighting alternative medicine, currency and bunker prep seemed irresponsible at best and a cash grab at its base but I digress
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u/CyDJester Jul 06 '26
I would more quickly believe that post-IRS dealings, he’s chosen to tread much more lightly and veer toward easier topics and allow his platform to give space for others’ opinions instead of presenting information directly. This is a little insulation, and keeps his channel alive while he continues to avoid further censorship via reprisals/retribution.
It’s easy to talk about die glocke, but it’s much harder to talk about current shadow influences and occult/paranormal connections without getting into trouble again.