Chip Berlet, an American investigative journalist and author, died on January 30, 2026, of leukemia.
Born John Foster Berlet on November 22, 1949, he was known for his work as a research analyst, photojournalist, scholar and activist focused on extreme right-wing movements in the United States and the spread of conspiracy theories. He served as a senior analyst at Political Research Associates and regularly appeared in the media starting with coverage of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
John Foster “Chip” Berlet (/bɜːrˈleɪ/; November 22, 1949 – January 30, 2026) was an American investigative journalist, research analyst, photojournalist, scholar, and activist specializing in the study of extreme right-wing movements in the United States. He also studied the spread of conspiracy theories. Starting with the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Berlet regularly appeared in the media to discuss extremist news stories. He was a senior analyst at Political Research Associates (PRA), a non-profit group that tracks right-wing networks.