Following the 2024 presidential election, false narratives and conspiracy theories have emerged on social media platforms. The denialism has spread on both sides of the political spectrum, with some Democrats alleging voter irregularities in states won by Republicans, and Republicans claiming election interference in favor of Democrats. Despite these claims, there is no evidence to support them, including allegations that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet provider was used to rig the election. While some left-leaning influencers have contributed to post-election denialism, the level of engagement is significantly lower than that observed on the right.
Social media platforms like TikTok and X have seen viral posts and videos spreading misinformation about the election results. Some users have speculated about Musk’s involvement in vote counting, linking it to conspiracy theories that have been debunked. Despite policies against election misinformation, some users have continued to perpetuate false claims, including speculating about a potential recount benefiting Vice President Kamala Harris. CISA and the FBI have debunked these claims, citing that vote count discrepancies are normal and do not indicate fraud. The dissemination of misinformation about the election results has led to speculation and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of the outcome, fueled by social media discussions and interpretations of fundraising language on political websites. Ultimately, the spread of false narratives and conspiracy theories highlights the need for fact-checking and critical thinking in evaluating information shared online.
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