No, Voltaire Didn’t Say That

On Sunday, Kentucky GOP Rep.Thomas Massie tweeted a quotation that he falsely identified as originating from French philosopher Voltaire: “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” The quote, intended to be a criticism of Anthony Fauci, is accompanied by Massie’s own caption: “You mustn’t question Fauci, for he is science.”

Per USA TODAY the alleged Voltaire quote actually originated from a 1993 radio broadcast from neo-Nazi Kevin Alfred Strom, who in the broadcast “All America Must Know the Terror That is Upon Us,” said a slightly different version of the quote: “To determine the true rulers of any society, all you must do is ask yourself this question: Who is it that I am not permitted to criticize?”