Trump's DOJ pretends California election conspiracy theories are worth taking seriously
ms.now
When the DOJ lends official weight to debunked election conspiracy theories, it's a textbook case of how institutional authority can manufacture legitimacy out of thin air.
Illusory Truth EffectInstitutional LegitimacyDisinformation TheoryAgenda-Setting Theory
Theory Briefing
- Trump's DOJ is treating California election conspiracy theories as credible, lending state power to fringe narratives.
- Institutional endorsement of fringe claims triggers the 'illusory truth effect' — repetition and authority make falsehoods feel real.
- The move signals a broader strategy of using procedural legitimacy to normalize disinformation rather than win factual debates.