Where is the evidence that “nontraditional investors beat the crap out of hedge fund speculators at their own game” or that “hedge funds pressured the brokerage

Where is the evidence that “nontraditional investors beat the crap out of hedge fund speculators at their own game” or that “hedge funds pressured the brokerages to disallow new stock purchases of GameStop”? This is the narrative, for sure, but how is this anything more than conjecture? Have the hedge funds publicly said “you got us!”, and even then why should we believe them? The story is fuelled by a subreddit and celebrity hot takes on Twitter. The news coverage I might actually trust also happens to be extremely weak — it’s all on the periphery rather than at the center of the story and I’m deeply skeptical anyone knows what’s actually going on. Why should they? Without a leak from an institution that’s how it should be when private entities trade on a public market. I have seen the mansplaining of what a short position is or what a short squeeze is or how someone can be 150% over shorted — originally 138%, then inflated to 140% for impact, then inflated again. The explanations aren’t wrong but knowing the mechanics of a theory doesn’t differentiate between an internet fantasy and the real world. That kind of self-fulfilling logic is one step away from the world of conspiracy theories. As I’ve said before, on the face of it this just looks a lot like some folks pumping a cheap stock. Potentially the first round of these had good reason to — the actual squeeze — but now the second, third, fourth and upcoming fifth daily cycles are pumping it for the sole reason because the last one did and we need an exit. It could well by pyramid shaped — I’d put money on it if I were you.