The Good Fight The Good Fight Club: The “Trump Is Dead” Conspiracy, the Big Summit Between Xi, Putin and Modi, and Firings at the CDC
Sep 4, 2025
Join political scientist Francis Fukuyama, columnist Mona Charen, and government professor Russell Muirhead as they dive into the ‘Trump is dead’ conspiracy and its implications for American politics. They discuss how social media fuels such rumors, the recent summit among Xi, Putin, and Modi, exploring new global alliances. The conversation shifts to leadership changes at the CDC, drawing alarming comparisons to authoritarian regimes, and emphasizes the urgent need for reform in public health amidst political chaos.
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Conspiracy Spreads At Internet Speed
- New conspiracies spread instantly because anyone can publish to everyone for free and social platforms reward virality over credibility.
- The Trump “dead” rumor shows how celebrity-style politics plus silence fuels rapid conspiratorial belief.
Celebrity Silence Breeds Rumors
- Mona Charen noted Trump's constant media output makes any silence feel alarming to his followers.
- That vacuum helps even implausible rumors gain traction quickly among his base.
Populism Reframes Facts As Conspiracies
- Contemporary populism centers on the belief that hidden elites manipulate reality and mainstream facts are false.
- Technology amplifies this by shifting credibility from institutions to likes and retweets.
