Anatomy of an Inauthentically Organized Campaign Disinformation campaigns depend on real-world events to offer an illusion of popularity for unpopular ideas, but they're easy to spot when you know what to look for.
Rep. Jack Kimble: ‘I Find It Very Suspicious …’ Screenshots of a tweet purportedly speculating on why the virus only affects unvaccinated people spread virally on Facebook, but "Rep. Jack Kimble" has been around for quite a while.
‘Catholic Leader Who Wanted to Deny Biden Communion Resigns After Caught Using Gay Dating App’ What appeared to be an object lesson on judging people circulated in the form of a claim that a prominent clergyman sought to deny U.S. President Joe Biden communion -- and was later caught using dating apps.
‘Doc and Marty Made it to 2021’ A popular Imgur post referenced Back to the Future, but that photograph of "Doc and Marty" was from 2020.
‘In the Cayman Islands, There Is a Modest Five-Story Building That Is Home to 18,857 Companies’ Figures in an Imgur post about a Cayman Islands tax shelter housing 18,857 companies have circulated for quite a while.
Abraham Lincoln and the Samurai Fax Machine A popular post claimed that "there was a 22 year window in which a samurai could have sent a fax to Abraham Lincoln."
Snapchat Plant Identifier A viral Facebook post claimed that Snapchat has the ability to identify not just plants, but also dog breeds.
‘This Wenche Thikke’ A number of social media posts referenced a "thikke" quote from the historic Canterbury Tales.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Says if Democrats Pass Voting Bill, Republicans Will ‘Never Win Another Election’ A popular July 18 2021 Facebook meme appeared to conflate Gaetz's 2020 comments with 2021 discourse over the "For the People Act."
‘Hundreds of Cars Are Lined Up Along Hwy 18 Into Mission, South Dakota as the Remains of Native Children Were Returned to Their Homelands’ A photograph described as cars lined up for the return of the remains of indigenous children circulated on social media.
