I know this is really going to stir up a hornet’s nest, but I have to run it anyway… I know about 50% of you think Erika Kirk walks on water and no one should ever ask any question about her ever…not ever! The other 50% of you think something is very off here. I want to be really clear up front that I am not making any accusations of any kind.  It’s possible Erika Kirk and her family are the most upstanding people you will ever meet in your lifetime, and she just randomly met Charlie by random chance and just randomly fell in love and would have lived happily ever-after, and her Grandfather may just be a wonderful, upstanding banker. We clear on all of that? I’m not making accusations, I’m just posting facts and you can connect dots if you want (or don’t). But I do think it’s quite incredible that the more you look the more you realize this family is not just some random family trying to get ahead.  They appear to be DEEPLY connected.  Just my take, I could be wrong. A big heads up to my friend MJ who found this and posted it over on Telegram: Ok, I’ll bite MJ….let’s explore! The link goes to a grave archive which you can access here:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171315528/carl_kenneth-frantzve That would be Erika’s grandfather. And here’s a screenshot of the page in case it ends up getting taken down? Ok, so now let’s investigate who Ken Frantzve was and what his connection was to the American Bank Note Company. And heck, what even IS the American Bank Note Company? Let’s dig in: The American Bank Note Company The American Bank Note Company (often abbreviated as ABN or ABNCo) is one of the oldest and most storied firms in the secure printing industry, specializing in high-security documents such as currency, bonds, stock certificates, passports, postage stamps, and other anti-counterfeiting materials. Origins (1795) Its origins trace back to 1795, when it began as Murray, Draper, Fairman & Company (sometimes spelled Fairham). It was founded in Philadelphia by Robert Scot—the first official engraver of the U.S. Mint—along with three partners. This early venture focused on engraving and printing paper currency for state-chartered banks, stock and bond certificates, and other secure items in the nascent United States, where individual states and private banks handled much of the nation’s financial printing. Formal Establishment and Early Dominance The company as we know it formally emerged on April 29, 1858, following the Panic of 1857—a major financial crisis that consolidated the fragmented security printing sector. Seven prominent engraving firms (including Toppan, Carpenter & Co.; Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson; and Jocelyn, Draper, Welch & Co.) merged to form the American Bank Note Company, establishing its headquarters in lower Manhattan near Wall Street to serve banks, brokers, and exchanges. Less than two years later, remaining independents formed the rival National Bank Note Company, but ABN quickly dominated. Key Historical Milestones Civil War Era (1861–1865): ABN and its rival jointly won U.S. Treasury contracts to print the first federal “greenbacks” (paper currency), producing over 7.25 million notes in $5, $10, and $20 denominations. Ironically, they also printed Confederate currency during the same period. Post-War Expansion: After the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing took over domestic currency production in 1877, ABN pivoted internationally, supplying secure printing to over 150 countries by the early 20th century. It printed traveler’s checks for American Express starting in 1891 and U.S. postage stamps from 1879 to 1894 (including the 1893 Columbian Exposition commemoratives). 20th Century Evolution: The company absorbed competitors like National and Continental Bank Note in 1879, filed for bankruptcy in 1899 amid economic turmoil, and restructured multiple times. By the mid-20th century, it operated plants worldwide, producing food stamps for the U.S. and currency for 70+ nations. In 1990, it merged into the American Banknote Corporation (ABNC), which expanded into holography and digital security in the 1980s–1990s. ABNC faced bankruptcy in 1999 but reemerged, and today operates as ABCorp (American Banknote Corporation), a global provider of authentication, payment, and secure access solutions, including 3D printing for fintech and banking. ABN’s legacy includes landmark buildings like its 1908 Bronx printing plant (a New York City landmark) and its role in pioneering counterfeit-resistant techniques. It has printed for governments, corporations, and institutions across continents, embodying over two centuries of innovation in secure manufacturing. Ties to Carl Kenneth “Ken” Frantzve Carl Kenneth “Ken” Frantzve (January 30, 1922 – October 4, 2016) was a Swedish-born American military veteran, executive, and community leader whose professional career intersected directly with the American Bank Note Company during its post-war expansion phase. Personal and Military Background Born in Falun, Sweden, Frantzve immigrated to the U.S. as a young man, settling in Chicago where he attended Tilden Technical High School (class of 1940). He served with distinction in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II in the Pacific Theater, earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star as a captain; he later served in the Korean War. Executive Role at ABN After his military service, Frantzve entered the manufacturing sector, rising to the role of Vice President of Manufacturing at the American Bank Note Company. In this executive position, he oversaw production operations at a time when ABN was a key player in global secure printing, managing facilities that produced currency, stamps, and other high-security documents for international clients. His tenure likely spanned the 1950s–1970s, aligning with ABN’s growth under International Banknote Company Inc. (its parent from 1972) and its focus on advanced printing technologies for 70+ countries. This role leveraged Frantzve’s engineering background and Swedish heritage, which later earned him a knighthood from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden for promoting U.S.–Sweden relations. Other Connections Frantzve’s connection to ABN is further highlighted in family and biographical records, where it’s noted as a cornerstone of his post-military career. He balanced this corporate role with community involvement, serving as Grand Chief of the Independent Order of Vikings (a Swedish-American fraternal organization) from 1977 to 1979. Frantzve married Elaine Wicklund in 1947; they had four children (Kent, Kendra, Kimberly, and Karla) and resided in Arizona in later years. His legacy, including the ABN executive post, has drawn recent attention due to his granddaughter Erika Kirk (daughter of son Kent Frantzve), who became CEO of Turning Point USA in 2025 following the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk. Summary In summary, Frantzve’s tie to the American Bank Note Company was professional and pivotal: as a senior manufacturing leader, he contributed to its operations in secure document production, bridging his military precision with the firm’s historic expertise in anti-counterfeiting technologies. Ok, so nothing too crazy, right? Just an upstanding member of society that prints our money? But wait a second, who else is tied to printing our money? The Federal Reserve? The Deep State Federal Reserve that hijacked this country with it’s formation in 1913 and subsequent implementation of Federal Income Tax? The “Fed” which has inflated and destroyed our US Dollar so badly that the purchasing power of a dollar in 1913 has declined by 97% compared to today? It’s true! Shown another way: So if you had $1.00 in 1913 you could buy $1.00 worth of goods, right? If you simply held that dollar in savings from 1913 until today, you could be THREE CENTS of something! Now do you get it? Everything in life didn’t suddenly get more expensive.  That $5,000 car didn’t suddenly become a $75,000 car.  Your $150,000 house didn’t suddenly become a $750,000 house. They all still have the same value they always did, the dollar just got DESTROYED by the Federal Reserve. And who printed the money? Well, Sr. VP Ken Frantzve, among others! As I said, I’m not going to draw any conclusions and I’m certainly not alleging he did anything wrong, but what are the odds when we do a little digging we find out the Frantzve family ties go DIRECTLY to the Federal Reserve and the printing of our money? And what is we’ve all been hearing about the last 10 years? Oh, that would be the Great Reset, right? Do I have that correct? Controversies Surrounding ABN and ABNC The American Bank Note Company (ABN or ABNCo) and its successor, the American Banknote Corporation (ABNC), have a long history in secure printing, which has occasionally drawn scrutiny due to their role in producing sensitive financial and government documents. While the company is not a frequent target of major scandals, there have been notable legal and financial controversies, particularly in the late 19th and late 20th centuries. These stem from counterfeiting risks inherent to their work, competitive industry dynamics, and corporate mismanagement during expansions. Historical Controversies Civil War-Era Counterfeiting Allegations (1865): During the production of U.S. “greenbacks” (federal currency), ABNCo faced accusations of facilitating counterfeiting. A New York Times article detailed a Treasury Department investigation into spurious $100 compound interest notes, where counterfeiters allegedly used a plate “surreptitiously obtained” from ABNCo. The company publicly denied involvement, claiming the impressions occurred after plates were delivered to the government. This incident highlighted vulnerabilities in early secure printing and fueled public distrust amid wartime financial chaos. ABNCo and its rival, the National Bank Note Company, had jointly printed both Union and Confederate currency, adding to suspicions of divided loyalties. Industry Monopoly Concerns (1858–1879): The 1858 merger of seven engraving firms to form ABNCo was criticized as creating a “monopoly” in secure printing, prompting rivals to form the National Bank Note Company in 1860 as a counterforce. This led to fierce competition for U.S. government contracts, including postage stamps. By 1879, ABNCo absorbed its competitors, consolidating control but drawing antitrust-like complaints from smaller printers. The episode reflected broader Gilded Age fears of corporate consolidation in finance. Bankruptcy and Restructuring (1899): ABNCo filed for bankruptcy amid the Panic of 1893’s economic fallout, exacerbated by lost U.S. currency contracts to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The filing involved asset sales and mergers, with critics accusing management of overexpansion and poor financial oversight. The company reemerged stronger but with lingering questions about transparency in its international dealings. Modern Controversies (ABNC Era) Auction Misrepresentation Lawsuit (1990–1992): In Barrett v. US Banknote Corp., a Canadian numismatist sued ABNC (then U.S. Banknote Corp.) and auction house Christie’s for breach of contract and misrepresentation. The plaintiff claimed he was misled about the uniqueness of rare banknotes purchased at a 1990 auction of ABN archives, only to discover duplicates in later sales. The Southern District of New York court dismissed some claims but allowed others to proceed, spotlighting ethical lapses in handling historical assets during ABNC’s 1990 merger and diversification push. SEC Fraud Investigation and Bankruptcy (1999–2001): ABNC faced major fallout from accounting irregularities in its holographics subsidiary (American Bank Note Holographics, Inc.). The SEC filed fraud charges against senior officers and directors for inflating revenues through improper transactions, leading to restated earnings and a sharp stock drop. This contributed to ABNC’s 1999 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, amid a global decline in banknote printing demand. Settlements included fines and executive bans from corporate roles, eroding investor confidence. The scandal was tied to aggressive 1990s expansions into tech like holograms, which overpromised on profitability. These events, while significant, were largely resolved through legal channels and did not result in criminal convictions for the company itself. ABNC (now ABCorp) has since refocused on secure tech like biometrics and 3D printing, with no major controversies in recent years. Conspiracy Theories Tied to ABN/ABNC Given ABN/ABNC’s role in printing currency, passports, stamps, and IDs (including birth certificates for some U.S. states), it features in fringe theories about financial control and hidden agendas. These often amplify real historical elements—like counterfeiting risks or mergers—into unsubstantiated narratives. They circulate on conspiracy forums, blogs, and social media but lack empirical evidence. Key Conspiracy Theories Birth Certificates as “Federal Bonds” (Strawman Theory): A persistent sovereign citizen myth claims birth certificates are secretly traded bonds issued by ABNC/ABNC on the stock exchange, turning citizens into corporate “strawmen” to collateralize U.S. national debt. Proponents allege the certificates’ all-caps names create a fictional entity owned by the government or banks, with ABNC’s printing role as “proof” of enslavement. This ties into broader admiralty law conspiracies, where individuals supposedly redeem their “value” (e.g., $1–$100 million) to escape taxes. Debunked repeatedly—birth certificates are administrative records, not securities—the theory persists on sites like Before It’s News, often linked to anti-Federal Reserve sentiments. Counterfeiting and Global Financial Manipulation: Echoing the 1865 scandal, some theories accuse ABNCo of deliberately enabling elite counterfeiting rings during the Civil War to destabilize the economy for profit. Modern variants implicate ABNC in “supernotes” (high-quality fake $100 bills), with unproven claims of ties to North Korea or U.S. intelligence for currency warfare. A 2007 Foreign Policy article dismissed North Korean involvement as overstated, but theorists extend it to ABNC’s international contracts (e.g., printing for 150+ countries) as evidence of a “global printing cartel” controlling money supply. Freemason and Illuminati Symbolism in Currency: ABNCo’s engravings on early U.S. notes (e.g., greenbacks) fuel claims of embedded Masonic symbols (like the pyramid on the $1 bill) as codes for a secret society takeover of finance. While ABNCo pioneered anti-counterfeit designs, conspiracy circles on Reddit and banknote blogs portray it as a front for elite cabals, linking to broader dollar-bill myths. Circulation and Impact These theories rarely trend on X (formerly Twitter), with searches yielding unrelated or low-engagement posts (e.g., vague political rants). They thrive in niche communities like r/Banknotes or sovereign citizen groups, often intersecting with anti-globalist narratives (e.g., “Great Reset” fears). No credible investigations support them, and ABCorp’s current operations emphasize transparency in fintech. However, they underscore public wariness of centralized printing monopolies, a theme echoing ABNCo’s 19th-century monopoly critiques. I’ll leave it there for now. Your thoughts?