Storms Helene and Milton have triggered rise of misinformation stoked by Trump and fellow Republicans
Meteorologists tracking the advance of Hurricane Milton have been targeted by a deluge of conspiracy theories that they were controlling the weather, abuse and even death threats, amid what they say is an unprecedented surge in misinformation as two major hurricanes have hit the US.
A series of falsehoods and threats have swirled in the two weeks since Hurricane Helene tore through six states causing several hundred deaths, followed by Milton crashing into Florida on Wednesday.
The extent of the misinformation, which has been stoked by Donald Trump and his followers, has been such that it has stymied the ability to help hurricane-hit communities, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).
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I dont think it’s a good strategy to assume that conspiracy nutters are uneducated. My anecdotal data is that I know at least two college educated people who are big Alex Jones fans and were completely on board the pizzagate and sandy hook train. They’re by no means stupid but self-radicalized with YouTube and Fox News. It’s easy to get caught up in the propaganda machine.
There are of course smart people who get caught in conspiracies, but, in general, it’s easier to work your way out of it if you are educated and know how to do proper source criticism and check your own biases against the facts.