dw.com
Disinformation and the 2024 US Election
Analysis of foreign interference, social media's role, and the impact of disinformation on the 2024 US Presidential election.
Russian
Germany
PoliticsUs PoliticsElectionSocial MediaDisinformationForeign Influence
National Intelligence DirectorFederal Bureau Of Investigation (Fbi)Cybersecurity And Infrastructure Security AgencyNortheastern UniversityGerman Society For Foreign Policy (Dgap)
Kamala HarrisDonald TrumpElon MuskJohn WibyKatja Muñoz
- Could disinformation have influenced the election outcome?
- The impact of disinformation on the election outcome remains unclear; however, it likely reinforced existing narratives and energized conservative voters. The goal of such disinformation is also to erode trust in media and democracy.
- What role did foreign actors play in spreading election disinformation?
- Russia was identified as the main threat, engaging in operations to undermine public trust in the election's fairness and exacerbate divisions among Americans. China also showed interest in manipulating the election, with concerns raised about the role of TikTok.
- Which platforms were most used to spread disinformation during the campaign?
- X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram were significant platforms for spreading disinformation, with Elon Musk's posts on X garnering billions of views and potentially favoring pro-Trump narratives. YouTube also hosted numerous accounts promoting misinformation or biased information.
- What was the role of artificial intelligence in the spread of disinformation?
- While AI-generated fake content existed, its impact was considered less significant than anticipated by experts. Other factors, such as pre-existing narratives and economic anxieties, likely played a more substantial role in influencing voters.
- What is the broader impact of such disinformation beyond affecting the outcome of an election?
- Experts disagree on the overall influence of disinformation; some suggest it primarily bolstered pre-existing biases, while others point to its erosion of trust in institutions as a significant consequence.