It's time to admit it: The left has a conspiracy problem, too.

By Janet Coats

If you followed news coverage going back to 2016 about the state of the nation’s political discourse, you heard a lot about QAnon. The far-right conspiracy theory factory originating in obscure dark corners of the internet promoted “Pizzagate” and the idea that cabals of child molesters were working to undermine Donald Trump. 

There is no doubt that QAnon trafficked in conspiracy theories of the most extreme, absurdist kind. But given the coverage of disinformation and misinformation in political discourse, it would be understandable if you’re left with the impression that conspiratorial thinking only happens on the political right. 

Those of us who spend time looking at the issue know that conspiracies abound across the spectrum. That became abundantly clear in the hours after the July attempted assassination of former president Trump, when social media was full of conspiracy and rumor-mongering by the political left. We’re seeing more of the same after the second attempt.

I knew as I watched the July coverage unfold there was one person whose perspective I wanted to hear. CJC PhD candidate Brittany Shaughnessy is a CTMT Trust Scholar, focused on research that aims to answer this question: Why do people dislike each other along political lines, and what can we do to help mitigate the divide? Brit and I were furiously texting back and forth after the assassination attempt, sharing liberal conspiracy theories we were seeing in social media.

I thought it might be interesting if we moved that conversation from our text messages out here into the world, so we asked Brit to talk about conspiracy theories in our political culture.

1. People are using the term Blue-Anon. What are they talking about?
   The term "Blue-Anon" is a satirical reference to QAnon, aimed at highlighting liberal conspiracy theories circulating online. Research indicates a consistent decline in mainstream media trust across the United States, affecting both liberal and conservative audiences. Consequently, an increasing number of people are seeking information online to navigate the uncertainties of a dynamic political and media landscape. This environment has, at times, given rise to left-wing conspiracies that have gained traction and gone viral. The mere existence of the term "Blue-Anon" underscores the reality that conspiracy theories and misinformation are not confined to any single political ideology but are present on both sides of the U.S. political spectrum.
   
   

2. After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, did you see an uptick?
   I did. Nearly immediately following the assassination attempt, my "For You" feed on X was inundated with conspiracy theories. For example, I saw claims that Trump had orchestrated the attempt with Putin, that Trump was using fake blood like that used in WWE and squeezed it as the shots were fired, that this was all part of Trump's campaign strategy to secure his election, and that the Secret Service was aware of the plot, pointing directions at fellow officers and allowing Trump to raise his fist.
   
   Similarly, left-wing conspiracies surged online after Biden stepped down from the 2024 presidential ticket. Some speculated that this was a DNC strategy to position Kamala Harris for the presidency. Additionally, there were right-wing conspiracies suggesting that Biden did not write the resignation letter himself.
   
   

3.  We typically see or read media talk about disinformation coming from conservative right-wing groups. Is there a lack of coverage of what's happening on the left?
   This is an interesting phenomenon that occurs not only in media coverage but also in academic research. In the academic realm, many social science scholars focus on researching right-wing individuals, their social media habits, and their beliefs, often neglecting the left-wing. On the journalistic side, I believe this focus may be a response to the social media circus that has previously surrounded right-wing conspiracy theories, such as the birtherism theory about Obama, Pizzagate involving Clinton, the false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump, and the notion that Biden used body doubles throughout his presidency.
   
   Each of these theories went viral, coinciding with the rise of right-leaning alternative media sites like Breitbart and the Daily Caller. While these outlets may not have directly spread these theories, they rose in popularity during the same period these theories gained popularity.
   
   To my knowledge, it is only recently that left-wing conspiracy theories have started to gain traction online, particularly in Trump's handling of COVID-19 in 2020,   with the assassination attempt and Biden stepping down from the presidential race. Since 2016, left-leaning alternative media sources, such as Democracy Now! and Salon, have also risen in popularity.
   
   

4. How does this fit into the work that you do?
   In my work, my collaborators and I have published research that assesses the effects of both right-leaning and left-leaning alternative media. For instance, our previous studies have examined Americans' media consumption habits and how alternative media fits within the broader context of mainstream and cable news consumption. Most relevant here is our recent study, which found that the use of both right-leaning and left-leaning alternative media is associated with holding extremist attitudes in the United States.
   
   This study provides valuable insights into the gap in media coverage, as well as academic and industry-based research, which often focuses solely on the prevalence of extremist attitudes on the political right while neglecting the left. Our research highlights that left-wing extremism is equally important to study and cover, as it may be contributing to the spread of "Blue-Anon" conspiracy theories online.
   
   

5. What can media consumers and journalists do to better recognize this left-leaning disinformation?
   This is a bit tricky, but I have advice for both journalists and media consumers. Navigating media consumption can seem arduous and tedious, but the best advice I can offer is to diversify your sources. Don't rely solely on push notifications and social media for your news. Instead, take the time to check multiple news outlets, especially when encountering potentially contentious stories. I urge media consumers to seek news from sources they perceive as not necessarily aligning with their political views. While this may seem counterintuitive, it helps protect against confirmation bias, where individuals only seek information that reinforces their pre-existing beliefs.
   
   Additionally, it’s essential for media consumers to improve their media literacy skills. Be aware of partisan cues in news stories and familiarize yourself with largely non-partisan sources in the U.S., such as C-SPAN, PBS, and the Associated Press (AP). On social media platforms like X, remember that community notes are written by fellow users and may not always be accurate.
   
   For journalists, there are two key tactics to consider, though they are easier said than done. First, whenever possible, it's critical to obtain interviews from both sides of the ideological spectrum to provide a diverse range of viewpoints. Fact-checking statements from sources is more important now than ever. In 2024, journalists have the opportunity to serve not only as watchdogs of the government but also as watchdogs against both right-leaning and left-leaning misinformation and disinformation online.
   
   Moreover, journalists must be particularly mindful of the language they use. It's crucial to avoid biased language or terms with specific positive or negative connotations, especially when covering democracy. This is especially important when discussing the state of democracy in the United States. By adhering to these principles, journalists can help ensure more balanced and accurate reporting.