Donald Trump Supporters Spread Ebola and Hantavirus Conspiracy Theories Online
yahoo.com
When official reassurances fall on deaf ears, conspiracy theories fill the vacuum — and this story is a textbook case of why fear, distrust, and motivated reasoning make viral misinformation almost unstoppable.
Motivated ReasoningMoral PanicConspiracy Theory FrameworkInformation Deficit Model
Theory Briefing
- Trump supporters are spreading Ebola and Hantavirus conspiracy theories online despite officials stating safeguards and screening are firmly in place.
- Motivated reasoning drives people to reject credible reassurances and instead seek out narratives that confirm pre-existing distrust of institutions.
- The rapid social-media spread of these theories illustrates how moral panic and in-group identity amplify misinformation far beyond fringe circles.