After Chicagoland leaders jumped to a racism-based conclusion, details about the alleged perpetrator of a cross-burning proved, “Democrats never let the facts get in the way of a good narrative.”
(Video Credit: NBC Chicago)
On June 9, footage captured a cross, propped up against a tree in Chicago’s Grant Park, set ablaze in what was quickly viewed as an act of racism by the likes of Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D). However, the alleged perpetrator’s own admission told a tale to the contrary as he protested, “MAGA Christian nationalist supporters.”
In an interview with NBC 5 Chicago that was followed by his arrest, 21-year-old Merlin Lu took credit for constructing the cross, setting it on fire with lighter fluid and toilet paper, and including a red baseball hat atop it to represent a MAGA hat.
While he claimed ignorance of the historic significance of burning crosses, he insisted his intent was to deliver a message to the “ruling class” of President Donald Trump’s administration
Following reports of the story, Pritzker opined while addressing the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s annual conference on Thursday, “The fact that it even occurred at all speaks to what happens when the seeds of racism and fascism grow unchecked in our country.”
“The threats are real. And in times like these, it’s easy to fall prey to despair, to think that the fight for justice is just too costly to engage in, that the mountain is too high to climb and the path is too narrow to navigate,” went on.
Likewise, Johnson was asked about the incident after Lu had already identified himself as allegedly responsible, “How concerning is that to you as mayor of, obviously, of a city with a predominantly black population, and do you think there needs to be more education around that?”
To that he responded as many identified Lu as a homosexual socialist, “I can’t speak to his lack of or understanding of the gravity of what he’s alleged of having done. And, again, it’s a painful reminder of how hatred towards black Americans still permeates, you know, in our society.”
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) June 16, 2026
The narrative surrounding the cross comes as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) faced an indictment and increased scrutiny for allegedly funneling donor money to extremist groups they were said to oppose to, in part, “buy materials for cross burnings, and purchase materials to make KKK robes and hoods.”
More recently, SPLC Director of Intelligence Heidi Beirich was alleged to have funneled $1.2 million to a member of a white supremacist group with whom she was said to “share a house and two bank accounts” as part of a “romantic relationship.”
Compounded with past hate hoaxes, reactions on social media couldn’t help but call out the perpetual race hustle that gave little to no regard for facts to advance the preferred agenda.
Democrats never let the facts get in the way of a good narrative.
— Kevin M. Nelson (@KevinMNelsonUSA) June 16, 2026
Every. Single. Time.
The media pushes the narrative first, facts come later (if at all).
Another day, another hoax.— LeonBMW (@bmwgutefahren) June 17, 2026
Was he paid by the SPLC, too? Wouldn’t surprise me.
— Corwin Mitchell (@CorwinM80) June 16, 2026
Did he get a check from the SPLC? Those hats aren’t free.
— Jim Pacing His Cage 🕊 (@iamisgo11) June 16, 2026
Unfortunately it does work with lots of idiot lefties!
— Lahlon Pace (@LahlonP) June 17, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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