In the Eye of the Hurricane

Trump and MAGA are spreading false rumors and conspiracy theories about the hurricane, knowingly putting Americans in danger.

For the last few weeks, the internet has been flooded with false information, conspiracy theories, and rumors about Hurricanes Helene and Milton. I don’t want to spend too much time on the specifics, or debunking false information here but if you’re looking for an overview, this report from ISD covers what’s out there. Much of it will be familiar because the actors creating and disseminating this bile generally don’t change their narrative strategies much. 

The spread of disinformation narratives during breaking news, particularly weather events, is nothing new. UW professor Kate Starbird first wrote about the phenomenon and the repetition of tactics used in 2017, and she and her team have continued to build on that research. Government agencies and media outlets now understand that part of keeping impacted populations informed during a hurricane or other weather event means debunking false information and convincing skeptical, fearful people that they are just trying to keep folks safe and offer assistance. It’s resource-intensive work that has to be done, alongside offering credible information and assistance.

But I want to focus on something that I think gets missed when we talk about disinformation: the people creating and amplifying it know what they’re doing. Their intention is to cause harm. With MAGA electeds, they have a network of public officials, more than happy to amplify their bullshit. These elected officials are also knowingly causing harm and putting the lives of the people they took an oath to serve at risk. All while creating more unnecessary stress, and the potential of harm, for those trying to help.

It comes from the top of the ticket. Donald Trump has been spreading much of the false information online on the campaign trail and spreading untrue rumors about what the Biden Administration supposedly isn’t doing. As I’ve followed the news this week, I can’t help but think about Springfield and how Trump and J.D. Vance knowingly terrorized an entire city for their own political gain. Hurricane disinformation and conspiracy theories are a larger-scale version of Springfield. Trump, Vance, and MAGA don’t care who gets hurt or killed. Everyone, even their supporters who live in impacted areas, is cannon fodder.

I’m often asked who really believes this stuff and who is knowingly spreading it for political gain. A few of you have emailed me about Elon Musk, who’s been spreading false hurricane conspiracy theories on a platform he owns and has optimized to amplify his voice, and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene who falsely claims that they (I assume “they” refers to Jewish people or Democrats or both) are capable of controlling the weather and causing a hurricane. Truthfully I don’t know who is a political opportunist, or who now lives in the MAGA Cinematic Universe. I suspect that it’s a mixture for a lot of these folks, but I also don’t want to spend too much time trying to parse it. What matters is the harm these folks cause and the danger they put people in.

Here’s some good news. I think our collective response to the conspiracy-mongering has gotten much better. Their strategies and tactics don’t change, and we’ve optimized getting ahead of a lot of the false information and developing better systems for getting credible information out. It’s also been heartening to see so many elected officials, from some Republicans who actually want to serve their constituents in their time of need, to President Biden push back aggressively and specifically to call out the harm Trump and MAGA cause when they do this.

Kamala Harris does an incredible job of channeling how fed up with Trump’s antics most Americans are and pointing out the danger of his words and actions. This clip from her appearance on Stephen Colbert this week is a perfect example. 

It’s been wonderful to see this shift towards calling out not just MAGA’s lies but the damage they do and the impact it has on ordinary Americans. Harris always calls out the lack of basic humanity Trump and his cronies possess and emphasizes that this is not how leaders should act. 

Most Americans do not want to live like this. We’re exhausted by it, and frankly, we deserve better. Having elected officials who care if we live or die and don’t exploit our pain and suffering for their own ends should be a baseline. Let’s make sure we’re doing everything we can between now and election day to elect candidates who care if we live or die when a crisis comes to our community. 

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ICYMI

Anti-Trans Ads Didn’t Work in 2022. Republicans Think This Time Will Be Different. (Semafor)

Wild to me that the Right failed hard with this strategy in 2022 but still plans to try again anyway. But, as we just talked about above the fold, the harm these ads cause to trans Americans and their families is very real.

Intelligence Officials Say US Adversaries Are Targeting Congressional Races With Disinformation (Associated Press)

Multiple countries are currently running influence operations targeting U.S. voters. 

Inside the Patriot Wing (New York Magazine)

Tess Owen offers an unsettling look into the so-called “Patriot Wing” where felons convicted for crimes related to January 6 are being incarcerated. And the “gang” that has developed.

Blue MAGA: How RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard Became Rockstars in Trump World (The Bulwark)

Yet another one of those how is this reality moments that have become all too common in this presidential election.

Want even more links? Subscribers receive a special ICYMI edition of CARD on Fridays. 

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Coda

I want to apologize to patrons and paid subscribers for this week’s bonus post not going out on Friday. I had some unexpected childcare issues this week and didn’t have the time needed to complete it. Look for my review of Character Limit to hit your inboxes early next week. 

That’s all for now. Remember to take care of yourself in the final stretch. Physically and mentally. Stay rested and for the love of God stay hydrated. We’ll talk again next Sunday!