Trump addresses conspiracies about Lindsey Graham's death in wild ramble - The Independent
the-independent.com
Trump quipped he'd "love to say yes" to conspiracy theories about Lindsey Graham's death — then addressed them anyway, fueling the rumor cycle he claimed to dismiss.
Streisand EffectIllusory Truth EffectConspiracy Theory DiffusionFraming Effect
Theory Briefing
- Trump directly addressed a conspiracy theory about Lindsey Graham's death during an interview, giving it far wider attention than it had before.
- His quip that he would 'love to say yes' blurred the line between denial and amplification, a pattern that keeps fringe claims alive.
- Addressing a rumor — even to dismiss it — can paradoxically validate it by signaling it is worth a response.