Donald Trump’s repeated claims of a “massive mandate” in his recent election victory are demonstrably false, easily refuted by examining both the Electoral College and popular vote results. His assertion of a 129-year unprecedented victory is unsubstantiated, with recent presidents exceeding his margin. This fabricated claim, likely motivated by insecurity regarding his narrow win, exemplifies the manipulative tactics of successful liars, adding specific details to lend false credibility. Ultimately, Trump’s repeated use of the term “mandate” is a disingenuous attempt to bolster a weak claim to overwhelming popular support.
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A leading US government agency tasked with tracking foreign disinformation has ceased operations. The State Department announced the closure on Tuesday, attributing the agency’s demise to Congress’s failure to renew its funding. This decision follows years of sustained Republican criticism of the agency’s work and effectiveness.
The termination of this crucial agency raises significant concerns about the nation’s ability to counter foreign interference in domestic affairs. The lack of continued funding signals a troubling shift in priorities, particularly given the ongoing prevalence of disinformation campaigns originating from hostile foreign actors. This gap leaves a critical vulnerability in national security, allowing sophisticated disinformation efforts to continue relatively unchecked.… Continue reading
NewsGuard, a company that assesses the credibility of news websites, is facing significant opposition from the right. This opposition isn’t surprising, considering NewsGuard’s aim is to combat misinformation, something that often clashes with narratives pushed by certain right-wing media outlets. The desire to shut down NewsGuard highlights a deeper issue – a resistance to independent verification of information and a preference for unchecked narratives.
The core argument seems to be that NewsGuard’s ratings stifle free speech and unfairly target conservative viewpoints. However, this argument ignores the crucial role of fact-checking and media literacy in a healthy democracy. The very notion that a news source should be immune from scrutiny because of its political leaning is deeply problematic.… Continue reading
In 2023, the anti-vaccine organization Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), founded by Del Bigtree, experienced a dramatic revenue surge, reaching $23 million—a 74% increase. This substantial income fueled a rise in spending, primarily on legal battles and anti-vaccine advocacy, totaling nearly $17 million. ICAN’s increased financial success reflects the growing influence and profitability of the anti-vaccine movement, despite overwhelming scientific consensus supporting vaccine safety. Bigtree’s own income significantly increased through his ICAN salary and work for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign.
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More than four years after publication, a study promoting hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a COVID-19 treatment has been retracted due to ethical concerns and questionable research conduct. The paper, highly cited despite numerous criticisms regarding data quality and methodology, fueled widespread HCQ hype, delaying the development of effective COVID-19 treatments. The retraction follows investigations revealing ethical protocol violations and a lack of equipoise in the study. This highly-cited, ultimately flawed study underscores the importance of rigorous scientific standards and ethical oversight in medical research, particularly during public health crises.
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Louisiana’s Department of Health implemented a new, unwritten policy prohibiting staff from promoting COVID-19, influenza, and mpox vaccines. This includes all forms of outreach, from press releases and social media posts to in-person events. The policy, implemented quietly, is attributed to political influence and follows the election of a governor who has been openly critical of vaccine mandates and promoted misinformation. Public health experts express deep concern that this action could lead to increased disease and further erosion of public trust in vaccination.
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The suspected attacker of the Christmas market, identified as a Saudi Arabian national, presents a complex and unsettling case. His anti-Islam activism, openly expressed on social media, throws a significant wrench into initial assumptions. This seemingly contradicts the typical profile of a Christmas market attacker, and adds layers of unexpected nuance to the already tragic event.
The man’s outspoken opposition to Islam, coupled with his stated grievances against the German government’s perceived pro-Islam stance and alleged persecution of Saudi refugees, suggests a motive far removed from traditional Islamist terrorism. Instead of targeting a Christmas market for religious reasons, as many initially suspected, his actions appear driven by a different type of extremism entirely.… Continue reading
A temporary drone ban affecting 22 New Jersey cities is in effect until January 17th, authorizing the use of deadly force against unmanned aircraft posing an imminent threat. This action follows weeks of unexplained drone sightings near critical infrastructure, prompting public concern and conspiracy theories. While the White House and Congress have downplayed the threat, the ban restricts drone operation below 400 feet, with exceptions for certain governmental and commercial operations. Investigations are ongoing, despite assertions that many sightings involved ordinary aircraft.
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Musk floods X with spending bill misinformation. It’s not just misinformation; it’s deliberate disinformation, a calculated spreading of falsehoods designed to cause harm and mislead the public. The intent is clear: Musk is knowingly disseminating false narratives. This isn’t a case of accidental inaccuracy; it’s a conscious choice to manipulate public opinion.
Musk’s motivations are complex and likely multifaceted. Some speculate his actions stem from resentment over the Twitter (now X) acquisition, a deal he may feel was overpriced and forced upon him by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. This perspective suggests a scorched-earth approach, using the platform to inflict damage as a form of retaliation.… Continue reading
Elon Musk, opposing a bipartisan government funding bill, launched a social media campaign on X, disseminating misinformation about its contents and urging its defeat. His actions, amplified by his Department of Government Efficiency, successfully stalled the bill, which included disaster relief, farm aid, and infrastructure projects. This move directly challenged House Speaker Mike Johnson and aligned with President-elect Trump’s opposition. Failure to pass a new bill before December 20th will result in a government shutdown.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood