Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories Are Already Thriving Online

Pro-Trump groups have spent years building election denial networks that, combined with Big Tech’s hands-off approach and continued foreign interference, have created a toxic information ecosystem.

Tech - Wired - October 29

Republicans need real election solutions, not conspiracy theories

Too often, we see some in our party prioritizing unfounded claims about election security over the real, pressing issues that affect everyday Americans.

Politics - The Hill - October 30

Debunking conspiracy theories ahead of Election Day 2024

Disinformation is still spreading in the final hours before Election Day. CBS News Confirmed executive editor Rhona Tarrant joins to debunk some of the latest conspiracy theories.

Five US election officials on what they’re expecting: ‘There’s a conspiracy theory for everything’

On election day eve we checked in with the people, many in swing states, working to ensure all votes are counted. In Fulton county, Georgia, they’re on guard for efforts to undermine democracy from ...

World - The Guardian - November 4

The Conspiracy Theory That Elon Musk Stole the Election Using Starlink Is Everywhere Now

The rapid spread of false claims about election fraud has experts worried. While not being promoted by politicians or the media, as similar claims were in 2020, the conspiracy theories are still ...

Tech - Wired - November 14

Arizona’s Kari Lake Is Already Claiming Election Fraud

The night before the election, Senate candidate Kari Lake of Arizona, a former TV anchor turned election truther, thanked her supporters for voting early—something she has long railed against.

Tech - Wired - November 5

Elon Musk’s X is boosting election conspiracy theories with AI-powered trending topics

The misinformation boosted by X’s AI model Grok included conspiracy theories about voter fraud and unsubstantiated smears about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Extremists inspired by conspiracy theories pose major threat to 2024 elections, U.S. intelligence warns

U.S. intelligence agencies have identified domestic extremists with grievances rooted in election-related conspiracy theories, including beliefs in widespread voter fraud and animosity toward ...

Politics - NBC News - October 28

Ballot drop box fires highlight concerns that election conspiracy theories are making them a target

The suspected arson fires of ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington this week is a reminder of how the popular collection devices have been the subject of false conspiracy theories since the ...

Election Denial Conspiracy Theories Are Exploding on X. This Time They’re Coming From the Left

Conspiracy theories about missing votes—which are not, in fact, missing—and something being “not right” are being spread widely on X in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory.

Tech - Wired - November 6

FACT FOCUS: Election officials knock down Starlink vote rigging conspiracy theories

False posts circulating on social media claim that billionaire Elon Musk facilitated alleged election fraud through his internet service provider Starlink, manipulating the vote count, particularly ...

Tech - ABC News - November 12

When Trump's victory became clear, online claims of election fraud quieted

As votes were tallied and it became clear that Trump was on his way to victory, the deluge of posts questioning the integrity of the election fell to a trickle.

FEMA conspiracy theories that have stoked chaos in the South date back to the 1980s

FEMA has been dealing with conspiracy theorists since shortly after the agency was created.

My friend has embraced conspiracy theories and I’m fed up with it | Ask Philippa

Think of him like a car in a skid, you want to take the steering wheel and switch direction, but the car has too much momentum and it will carry on the same path. The question I’ve had a good ...

World - The Guardian - November 3

Drop-Off in Democratic Votes Ignites Conspiracy Theories on Left and Right

There is nothing suspicious about the shift in Democratic fortunes. But partisans from across the spectrum are questioning the results, for different reasons.

Tech - The New York Times - November 9

The Onion buys conspiracy theory site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’

Satirical news outlet purchases media platform run by Alex Jones at a court-ordered auction. The satirical news outlet the Onion has purchased Infowars, the rightwing media platform run by the ...

World - The Guardian - November 14

Election Violence Is Already Here

With bombs, brawls, and stolen mail-in ballots already in play, the 2024 election is shaping up to be exceptionally chaotic. WIRED is tracking these incidents as they unfold.

Tech - Wired - November 1

A Russian Disinfo Campaign Is Using Comment Sections to Seed Pro-Trump Conspiracy Theories

A disinformation campaign is using the unmoderated spaces of right-wing news website comment sections to push its narratives.

Tech - Wired - November 1

Jan. 6 rioter targeted by 'fedsurrection' conspiracy theories gets 8 years in prison

Zachary Alam, a Jan. 6 rioter who was the subject of right-wing "fedsurrection" conspiracy theories, was sentenced to eight years in prison.

A reporter down the rabbit hole: Gabriel Gatehouse on edgelords, conspiracy theories and Trump’s America

The former BBC journalist has spent four years considering the misfits, misinformation and manipulation that are now central to US politics. In his new book, The Coming Storm, he weaves a ...

World - The Guardian - November 8

Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That's what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars

It seemed like bad satire, or yet another conspiracy theory

Entertainment - ABC News - November 14

Matt Gaetz, picked to oversee Jan. 6 cases, backed rioters, spread conspiracy theories

Matt Gaetz, one of Donald Trump’s strongest supporters, may be overseeing Jan. 6 cases after years of criticizing the Capitol attack investigation.

Politics - NBC News - November 15

Democrats Had a Theory of the Election. They Were Wrong.

Two columnists argue that the left neglected to hear what Americans were telling them over the past four years.

Top stories - The New York Times - November 7

Did modern monetary theory elect Donald Trump?

The Biden-Harris administration began their term assuming they could “run the economy hot” while also avoiding inflation.

Politics - The Hill - 4 days ago

Analysis: Election conspiracies persist, even with different outcomes

Conspiracies persist, although it is effectively impossible to steal a major election in the United States.

Politics - CBS News - 3 days ago

Former New York cop pleads guilty to foreign exchange fund fraud conspiracy

Rodriguez had been indicted in February after he lied to investors and lost most of the $4.8 million they put into his forex investment fund.

Business - CNBC - 2 days ago

Democratic jockeying for the 2028 presidential election is already underway

As the dust settles from Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat at the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, Democrats are already jockeying to emerge as the party’s next leader — looking to shape ...

Politics - NBC News - November 16

Election superstitions: A look at if theories hold clues to the White House winner

With the race for the White House heating up, "CBS Mornings Plus" explores three superstitious election theories, from cookie sales to other quirky predictions. Scott MacFarlane checks to see if ...

Intelligence bulletins show rising threat from extremists motivated by election conspiracies

Domestic violent extremists are considering a range of activities to disrupt the 2024 election and the peaceful transfer of power, with U.S. intelligence agencies seeing greater discussions around ...

Politics - The Hill - October 28

Profiteers Are Exploiting US Election Conspiracies and Hate to Make Millions

Unscrupulous online operators are spreading toxic lies to push bitcoin scams and sell MAGA shirts to Facebook users in the run-up to the US presidential election.

Tech - Wired - November 1

Georgia State Election Board chair discusses conspiracies, threats and more

Georgia State Election Board Chair John Fervier said that threats against the board were "spiking" in August and September but have "significantly reduced" recently.

How your favorite social media apps are preparing for election conspiracies

Social media companies are under intense pressure to squash the spread of disinformation on their platforms during the 2024 elections

Business - CNBC - November 5

FBI warns of election-related fraud schemes

The FBI warned this week of multiple types of election-related fraud schemes perpetrated by scammers targeting American voters in the lead-up to Election Day. The bureau said Tuesday that scammers ...

Politics - The Hill - October 30

Latest in Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories Are Already Thriving Online