Lincoln Project Reveals It Staged Tiki Torch Stunt at Right-Wing Republican Rally
The incident directly referenced the white nationalist gathering in Virginia in 2017 that culminated in Heather Heyer’s death.
October 2021
‘Bone Fire Became Bonfire’
A Halloween meme asserted that the word “bonfire” was an amalgam of “bone fire,” and the image had a cool skull on it.
‘Man Waves Down Police Officer to Slap Him’
A purported news screenshot about a man who allegedly waved a police officer down just to “slap him” spread virally.
‘A Statue of Medusa Holding Perseus’ Severed Head Will Be Installed in Manhattan Across from the NY County Criminal Court to Honor #MeToo’
In October 2021, posts circulated about a purported “statue of Medusa holding Perseus’ severed head,” symbolizing the #MeToo movement.
‘The Growing Inaccessibility of Science’ Meme
A tweet showed a paper with an ironic title, seemingly hidden behind a paywall.
‘FDA Vaccine Advisory Board Said Friday Unvaccinated Are More Educated on the Vaccine Than Most People Who Have Gotten It’ Tweet
A debunked, deleted tweet spread as zombie disinformation in late October 2021, claiming the “FDA Vaccine Advisory Board” lamented a “more educated” populace of unvaccinated people.
‘June 1954 – Jack Albertson Lamented the Loss of Blackface and Felt Minority Groups Were Making Life Rough for the Comedian’
An October 2021 controversy over “cancel culture” led to the spread of a newspaper clipping lamenting the same issue — in 1954.
‘US Student Loans Cost the Government over $60B More to Service Than They Bring in a Year’
Ongoing discourse about student loan repayment included a tweet claiming American student loans cost more to service than they yield in payments each year.
‘PSA, If You’re Ever Lost While Hiking … Change Your Voicemail’
Dueling viral posts debated the best way to make use of a waning battery and low signal for people lost in the wilderness.
Telegraph Money ‘Kyle’ Tweet
A satirical tweet about “Millennial homeowner” profile tropes was subtle enough to be perceived as authentic by readers.