Category: Conspiracy Theories

Trump and his crazy conspiracy theories

Trump’s Baseless Election Contest in Georgia Undermines Democracy

Donald Trump’s campaign has filed an election contest in Georgia, seeking to undermine the results of the November 3, 2020 presidential election. This legal maneuver comes despite the absence of credible evidence supporting his claims of widespread voter fraud. In a troubling display of defiance against democratic norms, Trump’s campaign alleges that tens of thousands of illegal votes were counted, a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by numerous sources.

Ray S. Smith III, the lead counsel for the Trump campaign, echoed the unfounded narrative of election irregularities, stating that the Georgia Secretary of State orchestrated an ineffective election process. This rhetoric not only seeks to delegitimize the election but also stirs public distrust in the electoral system, a dangerous precedent for American democracy.

Accompanying the lawsuit are affidavits from Georgia residents, which Trump’s team claims support their allegations. However, many of these affidavits lack the necessary scrutiny and verification required to substantiate such serious accusations. Claims of voter fraud, including those involving underage voters and individuals casting ballots from out-of-state addresses, have been thoroughly examined and dismissed by election officials.

In the face of overwhelming evidence confirming the legitimacy of the election results, Trump’s insistence on pursuing this course of action has raised alarms about his commitment to democratic principles. Instead of accepting the will of the voters, he continues to rally his supporters around baseless conspiracies that threaten to erode trust in future elections.

This latest move is part of a broader strategy by Trump and his allies to overturn a free and fair election. The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond Georgia, as it reflects a national trend among some Republicans to challenge the integrity of the electoral process. Such actions not only undermine the democratic foundation of the United States but also set a troubling precedent for future political contests.

(h/t: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/trump-campaign-press-release-trump-campaign-files-election-contest-georgia)

William Barr’s Misleading Claims on Voter Fraud Undermine Democracy

Attorney General William Barr has recently echoed the baseless claims of voter fraud and mail-in voting irregularities that have been propagated by President Donald Trump. His misleading assertions have alarmed civil rights advocates who are concerned about the potential erosion of public confidence in the electoral process. Barr’s statements, which include unfounded fears about widespread fraud and foreign interference in mail-in voting, have been thoroughly debunked by election experts. The rhetoric not only mirrors Trump’s unfounded allegations but also jeopardizes the integrity of the Justice Department’s role in protecting voting rights.

In a disconcerting interview, Barr claimed that mail-in voting would lead to the loss of a ‘secret vote’ and suggested that postal workers could be bribed to commit election fraud. This assertion is fundamentally flawed; mail-in ballots are secured through identity verification processes that prevent such misconduct. Experts have pointed out that ballots are tracked and audited to ensure their legitimacy, thus nullifying Barr’s claims of rampant fraud.

Furthermore, Barr’s suggestion that foreign entities could counterfeit mail ballots is equally unfounded. Numerous safeguards are in place to protect the integrity of American elections, including specific paper stock for ballots and signature verification processes. Experts have overwhelmingly dismissed the idea that foreign powers could easily infiltrate the voting system, emphasizing that such operations would be complex and easily detectable.

Additionally, Barr’s claim that the U.S. has not previously engaged in widespread mail voting ignores the reality that several states have successfully conducted elections primarily through mail for years without significant issues. Misleading statements about the reliability of voter rolls and the prevalence of fraud undermine the progress made in expanding voting access, particularly during a pandemic.

The damage done by Barr’s rhetoric is compounded by the fact that it aligns with disinformation campaigns previously launched by foreign adversaries aimed at destabilizing U.S. democracy. As civil rights advocates rally against these baseless claims, they stress the importance of maintaining public trust in the electoral system, which is currently threatened by the Attorney General’s unfounded assertions.

(h/t: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1240144)

Trump’s Dangerous Misinformation About Election Fraud Continues Unchecked on Twitter

In a recent display of his refusal to accept the 2020 election results, former President Donald Trump took to Twitter to falsely proclaim that he had won the election against Joe Biden, despite widespread media confirmation of Biden’s victory. This latest episode is just one in a long line of Trump’s baseless claims regarding election fraud, which he has continuously propagated since the election ended.

Twitter responded to Trump’s misleading tweet by labeling it as ‘disputed,’ but failed to take significant action to restrict its spread among his vast follower base. This inaction raises serious concerns about the platform’s responsibility in combating misinformation, especially from a figure who has repeatedly disseminated falsehoods regarding election integrity.

By asserting that he won despite the official results, Trump is laying the groundwork for future unfounded allegations against any election outcome that does not favor him. This tactic mirrors his comments made at a rally in Michigan, where he suggested that his potential defeat would be the result of widespread cheating, further entrenching his narrative of a rigged electoral system.

Trump’s relentless pursuit of this false narrative not only undermines public trust in democratic institutions but also poses a threat to the political landscape as he continues to promote division and misinformation. His rhetoric has incited both support and backlash, leading to an increasingly polarized environment.

The implications of Trump’s actions are severe, especially as he hints at military action against political adversaries and calls them ‘the enemy within’, suggesting an alarming view of dissent in a democratic society. This dangerous mindset, coupled with the spread of disinformation, threatens the very fabric of American democracy.

(h/t: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/11/07/trump-election-outcome-tweet-label/)

Trump Returns to White House, Downplays COVID-19 Threat

President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and returned to the White House on the evening of October 5, 2020, after receiving treatment for COVID-19. Upon his arrival, he displayed a sense of optimism, pumping his fist and giving a thumbs-up to reporters, while also removing his mask. Trump’s physician confirmed that he would continue his treatment at the White House, despite the ongoing nature of his care.

In a video message posted on Twitter, Trump urged the American public not to fear the coronavirus, stating, “Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge.” This statement comes as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 210,000, raising concerns about the implications of his remarks amidst a public health crisis.

Trump’s medical team had previously indicated that he was given a steroid, dexamethasone, and was undergoing treatment with remdesivir. While they affirmed that he was ready to return to the White House, they did not provide specifics regarding his lung scans or when he last tested negative for the virus.

The president’s health history during his COVID-19 diagnosis has been marked by inconsistencies between official medical briefings and statements from White House officials, leading to questions about transparency. Despite his recent hospitalization, Trump expressed eagerness to resume campaigning, stating he would be back on the trail soon.

(h/t: https://www.npr.org/sections/latest-updates-trump-covid-19-results/2020/10/05/920412187/trump-says-he-will-leave-walter-reed-medical-center-monday-night)

Trump’s Fraud Claims Refuted by Pennsylvania Election Chief

During the recent presidential debate, Donald Trump falsely claimed that nine mail-in ballots from Pennsylvania were evidence of election fraud, alleging they were discarded. However, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State, Kathy Boockvar, clarified that the discarded ballots were the result of a mistake made by an election worker, not intentional fraud. She emphasized that an investigation is ongoing, led by U.S. Attorney Dave Freed, but initial findings indicate this was simply a procedural error.

Boockvar explained that the incident occurred in Luzerne County, where military and overseas ballots were found in unmarked envelopes. In this case, an unnamed election worker failed to follow proper procedures and did not consult with the elections office before disposing of the ballots. The worker has since been terminated, and the state’s Department of State is implementing further training to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The Department of Justice has confirmed that the discarded ballots were not evidence of fraud. Seven of the discarded ballots were completed and all were cast for Trump, according to Freed. The FBI also retrieved additional empty absentee ballot envelopes during their investigation. It remains unclear whether those nine votes will be counted.

Critics have pointed out that Trump’s claims serve to further his narrative of widespread voter fraud, a tactic that undermines public confidence in the electoral process. Kristen Clarke, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, criticized the investigation as a politicization of the Justice Department in the midst of an active election.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding mail-in voting procedures, particularly as the 2020 presidential election approaches. Election experts continue to stress the security of mail-in voting, countering Trump’s unfounded assertions that such voting methods lead to systemic fraud.

(h/t: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2020/09/30/pennsylvania-election-chief-refutes-trumps-claim-that-nine-discarded-ballots-were-election-fraud/)

Trump’s Baseless Claims on Mail-in Voting in Debate

During the recent presidential debate, President Donald Trump made several unfounded claims regarding mail-in voting, suggesting that mail carriers are “selling ballots” and that ballots have been “dumped in rivers.” These statements are part of an ongoing campaign to undermine confidence in the electoral process, particularly concerning mail-in ballots.

Election experts have countered Trump’s assertions, emphasizing the security and historical reliability of mail-in voting. Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, stated that Trump’s claims are riddled with inaccuracies and that mail-in ballots have been used safely in the U.S. since the Civil War.

In one specific instance, Trump referenced an investigation into discarded military ballots in Pennsylvania, claiming that seven of the nine ballots found were for him. However, the FBI clarified that there was no evidence of a coordinated voter fraud scheme related to this incident. Similarly, Trump’s claims about ballots being found in “creeks” were linked to a non-issue involving trays of mail that were mistakenly misplaced during transit.

West Virginia officials refuted Trump’s claims regarding mail fraud in their state, clarifying that a recent case involved a postal worker altering voter registration applications—not ballots themselves. The state’s Secretary of State reassured voters about the integrity of the election process.

Overall, Trump’s statements regarding mail-in voting are not supported by factual evidence, and experts advise that his rhetoric poses a threat to the democratic process by casting undue doubt on the legitimacy of elections.

(h/t: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/30/2020-debate-trump-makes-outrageous-claims-mail-voting/3586836001/)

Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election

Donald Trump has suggested November’s presidential election be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results.

He floated a delay until people could “properly, securely and safely” vote.

There is little evidence to support Mr Trump’s claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud.

US states want to make postal voting easier due to public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the US constitution, Mr Trump does not have the authority to postpone the election himself. Any delay would have to be approved by Congress. The president does not have direct power over the two houses of Congress.

What did Trump say?

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump said “universal mail-in voting” would make November’s vote the “most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history” and a “great embarrassment to the USA”.

He suggested – without providing evidence – that mail-in voting, as it is known in the US, would be susceptible to foreign interference.

“The [Democrats] talk of foreign influence in voting, but they know that Mail-In Voting is an easy way for foreign countries to enter the race,” he said.

Mr Trump also said postal voting was “already proving to be a catastrophic disaster” in areas where it was being tried out.

In June, New York allowed voters to vote by post in the Democratic primary poll for the party’s presidential candidate. But there have been long delays in counting the ballots and the results are still unknown.

US media report that there are also concerns that many ballots will not be counted because they were not filled in correctly or do not have postmarks on them that show they were sent before voting officially ended.

However, several other states have long conducted votes by post.

Donald Trump can’t delay November’s presidential election without Congress, partially controlled by the Democrats, first approving the decision. If he didn’t already know this, someone has certainly told him by now.

The president also must know that tweeting about a delay – even framed as an “I’m just asking!” question – is sure to ignite a political firestorm, particularly after he has repeatedly refused to say whether he’d accept an adverse result in the upcoming presidential election.

Mr Trump appears to be doing everything in his power to undermine the credibility of November’s vote, in which a record number of Americans are predicted to rely on mail-in voting to avoid the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. He’s repeatedly made false and misleading claims about the reliability of the mail balloting and suggested broad conspiracy theories. Critics warn that he could be laying the groundwork for contesting the results – although the purpose may be simply to give him a scapegoat if he loses.

His tweet could also be an attempt to divert attention away from the truly dismal second-quarter economic numbers just released. He’s been relying on a financial turnaround to breathe life into his re-election campaign, and instead the outlook appears exceedingly gloomy.

Whatever the reason, tweeting about an election delay is not the move of a candidate confident of victory – and could be a sign of more desperate moves to come.

[BBC]

Trump Pushes Fake COVID Cure From Fringe Doctors, Banned by Facebook

President Donald Trump exhibited his new serious tone toward the coronavirus crisis on Monday night, sharing a viral video of fringe doctors touting the controversial anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as “a cure for COVID.”

The video, which also featured the doctors dismissing mask-wearing, was eventually taken down by Facebook for “sharing false information” about the virus, after racking up millions of views in a matter of hours. Several right-wing outlets and personalities, however, continued to promote the clip of the doctors’ press conference on Twitter, eventually reaching the president’s timeline.

Besides retweeting the clip several times, Trump—who recently said his retweets tend to get him “in trouble”—went on to share several other posts promoting hydroxychloroquine, which the FDA has rescinded for emergency use for the virus.

Numerous studies and clinical trials have found that the drug has shown no real benefit in treating coronavirus patients. Experts also have warned of potentially deadly side effects. 

Trump then shared a tweet directly from Dr. Stella Immanuel, one of the physicians who took part in the press conference. Immanuel is also a preacher who once wrote a book claiming that there is a Satanic plot to take over the world and recently challenged CNN anchors and top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci to provide her with urine samples. (The video tweeted by Immanuel, along with several others the president shared, were later taken down.)

She also didn’t take kindly to Facebook removing the video of her saying masks don’t work and that hydroxychloroquine is a magic cure for the virus.

“Hello Facebook put back my profile page and videos up or your computers with start crashing till you do,” she tweeted late Monday night. “You are not bigger that God. I promise you. If my page is not back up face book will be down in Jesus name.”

The president also shared tweets attacking Fauci on Monday night, despite insisting recently that he had a “very good relationship” with the doctor after White House officials publicly blasted him.

At least one of the accounts the president retweeted on Monday night was from a follower of QAnon, the conspiracy theory that alleges a “deep state” cabal of pedophiles is plotting against Trump.

[The Daily Beast]

Trump suggested that Twitter’s trending topics are ‘illegal’ because they make him look bad

President Donald Trump reignited his feud with Twitter on Monday, suggesting that the website’s trending topics section is “illegal” because the topics and content that appear there make him look bad.

“So disgusting to watch Twitter’s so-called ‘Trending’, where sooo many trends are about me, and never a good one. They look for anything they can find, make it as bad as possible, and blow it up, trying to make it trend. Really ridiculous, illegal, and, of course, very unfair!” Trump tweeted.

Trump didn’t mention a specific trend or cite any evidence to support his claim that Twitter was intentionally biasing its trends against him, nor did he say which laws he believed the company is violating.

Twitter’s website says that “trends are determined by an algorithm and, by default, are tailored for you based on who you follow, your interests, and your location.” Users can also view topics that are trending by location instead of those personalized for them, according to the site.

Twitter declined to comment for this story.

Trump and other conservatives frequently accuse social media companies of bias against their political viewpoints, though so far without any systemic evidence. Trump has more than 84 million followers on the platform, the seventh-largest audience of any user and second only to former President Barack Obama among politicians, according to Brandwatch.

Multiple lawsuits brought by conservatives who said social media companies illegally discriminated against them have been rejected by courts because the First Amendment doesn’t apply to private companies.

Trump’s own criticisms of social media sites, Twitter in particular, have escalated in recent months as platforms face growing pressure to take action against hateful and potentially violence-inducing speech as well as misinformation.

Twitter drew Trump’s ire in May when it added fact-checking links to his false tweets about voting by mail, and again the same week when it applied a “glorifying violence” label to his tweet threatening protesters following George Floyd’s death with being shot.

Shortly after, Trump issued an executive order targeting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that protects social media companies from being sued for content posted by users on their platforms, specifically calling out Twitter. Legal and tech policy experts have expressed skepticism that the order would hold up in court.

[Business Insider]

Trump administration orders hospitals to send coronavirus data directly to the White House, not the CDC

The Trump administration ordered hospitals to bypass the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and send all COVID-19 patient information to a central database in Washington, starting Wednesday, according to a Health and Human Services document updated July 10.

The handoff had an immediate effect. Wednesday afternoon one of the important CDC pages that tracked changes over time in how many hospital beds in the nation are occupied by COVID-19 patients ceased working. The CDC confirmed the page’s disappearance was a consequence of the switch.

It was first noted by Charles Ornstein from the news non-profit ProPublica.

The data came from the National Healthcare Safety Network, the most widely used hospital infection tracking system in the United States. It is run by the CDC.

In a call with reporters Wednesday, CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield said the agency has agreed to remove the NHSN from the collection process in order to streamline reporting.

The disappearance of the site takes away a useful metric of the pandemic for health care workers.

Changes in time of the number of hospital beds being occupied by COVID-19 patients tells public health officials how close to being unable to accept new patients a hospital or a region is, or if things are getting better.

Michael Caputo, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement earlier Wednesday the new coronavirus data collection system would be “faster,” and the CDC has a one-week lag in reporting hospital data.

“The President’s Coronavirus Task Force has urged improvements for months, but they cannot keep up with this pandemic,” he said. “Today, the CDC still provides data from only 85 percent of hospitals; the President’s COVID response requires 100 percent to report.”

The disappearance of the site takes away a useful metric of the pandemic for health care workers.

Changes in time of the number of hospital beds being occupied by COVID-19 patients tells public health officials how close to being unable to accept new patients a hospital or a region is, or if things are getting better.

Michael Caputo, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement earlier Wednesday the new coronavirus data collection system would be “faster,” and the CDC has a one-week lag in reporting hospital data.

“The President’s Coronavirus Task Force has urged improvements for months, but they cannot keep up with this pandemic,” he said. “Today, the CDC still provides data from only 85 percent of hospitals; the President’s COVID response requires 100 percent to report.”

Caputo added: “The CDC, an operating division of HHS, will certainly participate in this streamlined all-of-government response. They will simply no longer control it.”

Wednesday afternoon, Redfield described the data collection system as a way to streamline the process and make it easier for the nation’s hospitals to get information to state and federal authorities.

“We at CDC know that the life blood of public health is data,” he said. “Collecting, disseminating data as rapidly as possible is our priority and the reason for the policy change we’re discussing today.”

The CDC, along with many federal agencies, has long struggled to provide state-of-the-art data systems with lagging funding and sought to upgrade its systems. 

Redfield indicated the change would not be detrimental, saying the new system would streamline the process, reduce duplication and the reporting burden on medical providers and “enable us to distribute the scarce resources, using the best possible approach,” he said. 

“We’ve merely streamlined data collection for hospitals on the front lines,” he stressed. “No one is taking access or data away from CDC.”

Public health experts and infectious disease scientists sounded an alarm on the protocols, noting that further politicization of the pandemic will hurt health workers and patients.

“Placing medical data collection outside of the leadership of public health experts could severely weaken the quality and availability of data, add an additional burden to already overwhelmed hospitals and add a new challenge to the U.S. pandemic response,” Dr. Thomas File, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said in a statement.

He said collecting and reporting public health data is a “core function of the CDC,” and bypassing the agency would “undermine our nation’s public health experts.”

“As infectious diseases physicians, front-line providers and scientists, we urge the administration to follow public health expertise in addressing this public health crisis,” File said.

[USA Today]

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