The NPR Politics Podcast Twitter Adds Warning To Trump's Tweets As He Spreads Misinformation
May 27, 2020
Twitter's decision to label President Trump's tweets as misleading raises questions about social media's role in managing misinformation. The discussion looks at conspiracy theories and their real-life impact, particularly on vulnerable individuals. As the 2020 election nears, experts express concern about how misinformation fuels political division. The podcast also unpacks the nature of social media algorithms that prioritize outrage, stirring a conversation about the need for public awareness and potential regulatory reform.
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Twitter Fact-Checks Trump
- President Trump's tweets criticizing mail-in voting were fact-checked by Twitter for the first time.
- The tweets falsely claimed that California would mail ballots to every person, not just registered voters.
Scarborough Conspiracy Theory
- President Trump is pushing a conspiracy theory about Joe Scarborough, claiming he murdered an aide.
- The aide's widower asked Twitter to remove the tweets, citing the president's unfounded allegations.
Inconsistencies in Twitter's Policy
- Twitter's fact-checking policy is unclear, leading to confusion and selective enforcement.
- Fact-checks may not persuade conspiracy theorists and could even reinforce their beliefs.
