In a stunning turn of events, conservative activist Doug Mackey, also known as “the Meme Guy,” has been convicted of election interference by a federal court in the Eastern District of New York. The verdict has left many shocked, including popular podcaster Joe Rogan and his guests.

Mackey was found guilty of creating and disseminating memes that falsely told Hillary Clinton supporters they could vote by text message, a blatant act of election interference. While some may argue that the memes were harmless jokes, the court has made it clear that such actions are not to be taken lightly.

Rogan, who is known for his conservative views, was audibly shocked when he learned of Mackey’s conviction. “He was found guilty?” he asked his producer in disbelief. The verdict has left many wondering what this means for the future of conservative activism and free speech.

Comedian Big Jay Oakerson, one of Rogan’s guests, had this to say about the memes in question: “if you believe that is true, don’t vote anyway.” While Oakerson’s comment may seem flippant, it speaks to a larger issue of disinformation and propaganda in our political discourse.

The conviction of Doug Mackey is a sobering reminder that there are consequences to spreading false information, especially when it comes to our elections. As we move forward, it is important that we hold ourselves and our leaders accountable for the information we put out into the world.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.