Latest news with #conspiracytheories
CNN
5 days ago
- General
- CNN
Ashley Allison reacts to FBI's Bongino complaining about rigors of the job
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and his boss Kash Patel are under fire for shooting down conspiracy theories. Bongino talked about the pressures of the office in a recent interview, and former Biden-Harris adviser Ashley Allison was not sympathetic.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Conspiracy theorists seize on chaos in Liverpool
The injured were still lying in the road when conspiracy theories started circulating online. Not even an hour had passed after a driver rammed his car into Liverpool fans celebrating their club winning the Premier League, when prolific users of X, formerly Twitter, took to the site to speculate on the motive and identity of the driver. At 6.55pm, less than an hour after the incident occurred Tommy Robinson, a far-Right activist, wrongly described it as a 'suspected terror attack,' despite Merseyside Police making no such mention in their statement. An hour later, Ant Middleton, former Special Forces soldier and Reform UK supporter, pushed the theory further, writing: 'When you have leaders normalising terrorist attacks by saying that they're part and parcel of big city living, you open yourself up to these types of national threats!' Undoubtedly mindful of the disorder in Southport last summer, by 8pm Merseyside Police announced they had arrested a 53-year-old white British man. Conspiracy theorists' posts had frightening echoes of the hours after Axel Rudakabana's murdering of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last July. Reporting restrictions had prevented Rudakubana, then aged 17, from being named. The lack of information about the suspect's identity saw riots engulf the seaside town after rumours spread he was a Muslim asylum seeker. This time the force poured cold water on rumours, releasing the suspect's details just two hours after the incident. By 10.30pm they'd held a press conference with further details, saying at 10.56pm, undoubtedly mindful of the disorder last summer, that it was not being treated as a terror attack. That should have put conspiracy theories to bed. But sceptics have raised questions over videos which show a young man driving what appears to be the offending vehicle despite the man arrested being aged 53. Writing on X, James Goddard said: 'Media announce driver is a 53-year-old White British male but in the footage the driver looks in his early 30's not 50's 'No doubt the authorities are working overtime to piece a dishonest narrative together to feed the public.' Numerous anonymous accounts on X began questioning whether this was a media and government plan to keep the truth from the public. People began speculating whether it was a false-flag attack, while others continued to insist that a man seen lying on the ground wrestling with police officers was in fact the driver of the car. As more details about the alleged attack emerged late on Tuesday, including the fact he was arrested on suspicion of being high on drugs at the time, the conspiracy theorists seized upon one detail still missing from reports: a name. The fact that there was no name was to many, on social media at least, proof that something was being hidden from them. 'Until the name of the man is made public, don't believe anything', one X user posted. The reality is that police never name a suspect until they are charged. Merseyside Police said on Tuesday, during a second press conference, that they had been granted an extension to question the suspect until Wednesday lunchtime. At that point they will either have to release the man on bail, or make a charging decision. Whether even that will stop the manic, unfounded speculation that now seems to inevitably follow mass-casualty incidents such as Southport and Liverpool, remains unknown.
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Did Brigette Macron Shove Emmanuel Macron? He Says He And Wife Were ‘Joking Around' In Viral Video
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed a video of his wife appearing to push his face away while departing a plane as 'joking around,' after the clip went viral on social media Monday morning and became a hotbed for conspiracy theories. Macron, who arrived in Vietnam with his wife, Brigette Macron, on Monday, told reporters he was 'squabbling and joking around with my wife,' stating he is 'surprised' the video became a 'disaster of planetary proposition with everyone having their own theory about it.' In the video, captured by the Associated Press, Macron can be seen standing inside the plane alongside a second person who is initially not visible, whose arms reach out and appear to push Macron by his face, as the president then takes several steps back. Immediately after the apparent push, Macron turns to face the outside of the plane and breaks into a smile and waves, possibly noticing the reporters and cameras. Macron acknowledged the video was real while speaking with reporters, though multiple outlets reported his office initially denied the incident had happened. The video was circulated online by social media accounts, many of whom appear to be European and American right-wing profiles that are typically critical of Macron, who used the incident to question his relationship with his wife or to attack his masculinity. Emmanuel Macron, 47, has been married to Brigette Macron, 72, since 2007. The two met in 1993 while Emmanuel Macron was a student at Lycée la Providence, the high school where Brigette Macron was his teacher. Their relationship has been the subject of gossip in the French press, and Macron's parents attempted to separate him from Brigette while he was in high school by sending him to another school for his final year. Brigette Macron resigned from her teaching position once her husband became France's economy minister, and she played an active role in her husband's presidential campaign. While addressing reporters Monday, Macron said the clip was one of several recent videos of him used to fuel misinformation. Last week, a video of Macron with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer depicted Macron picking up a white object, which was a tissue, though false theories spread on social media that the object was a bag of cocaine. Macron's office denounced the theories in a post on X, alleging they were being 'spread by France's enemies' and that social media users must 'remain vigilant against manipulation.' In Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday, Macron met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and signed deals worth about $10 billion on defense, transportation, nuclear energy and other contracts as Macron advocated for greater cooperation between France and its former colony at 'a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric.' The visit was the first to Vietnam by a French leader in nearly a decade. While in southeast Asia, Macron will next visit Singapore and Indonesia. France's first lady seems to push her husband as they land in Vietnam. He says they were joking (Associated Press)
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Inside the MAGA conspiracy about Biden's cancer
News of Joe Biden 's prostate cancer diagnosis on Sunday (18 May) quickly became a political tool. Conspiracy theories emerged almost instantly — claims that he's had cancer longer than disclosed, rumours it's 'stage five' and a misleading 2022 video clip suggesting he had previously admitted to having cancer. Donald Trump 's son even amplified some of these theories, fuelling the misinformation. This isn't a new tactic; during the 2024 election, similar claims circulated about Mr Biden's cognitive health. Once again, MAGA circles are using a serious health issue to launch politically charged attacks. Watch to see which conspiracy theories are gaining traction this time.
Forbes
18-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
1 Belief System That Can Derail Relationships, By A Psychologist
New research shows that conspiracy beliefs can profoundly impact close relationships. Here's how to ... More keep your beliefs from getting in the way of meaningful connections. Most people like to believe they see things as they truly are. Yet, the pull of alternative explanations — those that invite them to question or doubt the obvious — can be hard to resist. Conspiracy theories tap into this curiosity, suggesting shadowy forces and concealed agendas behind daily events. These beliefs hint at a hidden reality where influential players manipulate the truth for personal gain. From tales of elites orchestrating world events to secretly staged historical milestones, conspiracy theories offer a mysterious, seductive lens on the world, inviting people to question and resist mainstream narratives. The appeal lies in their promise of hidden truths, granting believers a sense of exclusivity in a world that often feels beyond control. However, while these beliefs can unite like-minded individuals, they can also breed distrust and distance in personal relationships. A 2024 study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology reveals how conspiracy beliefs influence interpersonal dynamics, uncovering a complex relationship between belief alignment and relationship satisfaction. Here are two ways in which your conspiracy beliefs can affect close relationships, according to the study. Shared beliefs lay the groundwork for trust and understanding in relationships. However, researchers of the 2024 study found that when one partner or friend subscribes to conspiracy theories and the other does not, relationship satisfaction often declines, creating a satisfaction gap. This gap is especially noticeable in close relationships, such as those with family and close friends, where shared understanding is critical to maintaining connection. This decrease in satisfaction aligns with the theory of 'shared reality,' which suggests that relationships thrive when people feel validated by those close to them. When belief in a conspiracy theory is met with skepticism, the believer may feel misunderstood, leading to emotional distance. Relationships in which only one person holds conspiracy beliefs tend to experience strain, as the lack of shared reality makes closeness and support more challenging. The 2024 study also highlights the concept of 'attitudinal distancing,' a subtle drift in emotional closeness that occurs in relationships with differing conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracy theories often encourage an 'us vs. them' mindset, which amplifies the sense of ideological separation. The more divergent the beliefs, the greater the feeling of detachment, reducing the trust that relationships rely on. This distancing weakens attitudinal closeness, or the alignment of values and viewpoints that encourage connection. For conspiracy believers, relationships with skeptics may feel frustrating or unsupportive. In contrast, non-believers may feel estranged from conspiracy-inclined friends. This divergence can erode the fundamental elements of relationships, like empathy and understanding, creating a sense of disconnection from those once considered close. In hypothetical scenarios, participants were asked to imagine how they'd feel if a friend or partner endorsed conspiracy beliefs. Those less inclined toward such beliefs anticipated a drop in satisfaction, highlighting that alignment — or lack thereof — can significantly shape relationship expectations. Even the possibility of divergent beliefs can introduce tension into otherwise stable connections. Interestingly, while conspiracy beliefs can create rifts between those with opposing views, they can also serve as a bonding agent among like-minded individuals. The study finds that relationships between two people who share similar conspiracy beliefs tend to experience greater satisfaction and closeness. In these cases, shared beliefs reinforce the perception of a shared reality, strengthening relational closeness. For conspiracy believers, finding someone who views the world similarly offers validation and support. This shared belief creates a unique safe space where ideas are accepted rather than questioned, which can be profoundly reassuring for believers. Within this dynamic, conspiracy beliefs can build trust and emotional closeness, highlighting how similar worldviews are pivotal in maintaining relational satisfaction. While differing beliefs can strain relationships, they don't necessarily have to end them. Here are a few strategies to help you keep these connections strong: Ultimately, relationships involve a delicate balance of understanding and acceptance, especially when beliefs diverge. Conspiracy theories may challenge that balance, testing trust, empathy and mutual respect. Yet, by choosing to prioritize connection over division, we can still nurture the connections that matter most. Curious if conspiracy theories have a hold over you? Take this science-backed test to find out: Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale
