Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Comment
Joan Donovan

First came the bots, then came the bosses - we’re entering Musk and Zuck’s new era of disinformation

Donald Trump Elon Musk United States Facebook Hunter Biden Twitter Inc. Meta Oval Office
musk points upward as he talks at podium
Elon Musk speaks at a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in October. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

I’m a researcher of media manipulation, and watching the 2024 US election returns was like seeing the Titanic sink.

Every day leading up to 5 November, there were more and more outrageous claims being made in an attempt across social media to undermine election integrity: conspiracy theories focused on a tidal wave of immigrants plotting to undermine the right wing, allegations that there were millions of excess ballots circulating in California, and rumors that the voting machines were already corrupted by malicious algorithms.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Check Your Pantry: These 10 Foods May Belong in the Refrigerator
A bottle of ketchup beside the stove or hot sauce tucked into a pantry cabinet might seem perfectly normal. But some everyday foods have storage instructions that change once you open them, and others benefit from refrigeration even when it isn’t strictly necessary. The confusion often comes from the difference…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Drew Barrymore: I don't know how to retire
Drew Barrymore has revealed she doesn't have strict retirement plans
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
What’s the Oldest Thing in Your House You Still Use Every Day?
The oldest thing in your house might not sit behind glass or carry a sentimental story. It could be the skillet you grab for eggs, the wooden spoon that has survived three kitchen remodels, or the desk lamp that somehow refuses to die.
Clever Dude
Clever Dude
7 Foods From Your ’80s Childhood That Aren’t Made the Same Way Anymore
If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember the bright orange macaroni and cheese, the sweet taste of your favorite soda, and snacks that seemed to make every afternoon better. Some of those familiar products are still available, but the versions on store shelves today may not be…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Brooklyn couple uncover 1901 coal log tied to family history while restoring an 1880s house
James and Laureta Gale found a 1901 coal delivery schedule during their renovation of a historic lodging house. Their discovery connects to James's family history with coal delivery in Brooklyn. The couple is transforming the 1880s building into an 11-room guesthouse with modern amenities. They are also preserving original features…
The Times of India
The Times of India
A couple told a North Carolina woman they were only feeding the turtles, then she turned her camera to the pond
The woman kept on throwing food into the water.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play