FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Conspiracy Theories Abound Under the Trump Administration

on August 20, 2020

Never in the past when I was studying American politics have I seen as many conspiracy theories being touted by a President and a party than under the Trump administration. First, one has the President arguing that mail-in ballots only lead to electoral fraud, without any clear evidence to back up his belief.  Unfortunately, the result has been an attempt by the administration to undermine the U.S. Postal Service in advance of the November elections through deliberate cutbacks. All this during the pandemic!

Next is the President’s expressed appreciation for the support of QAnon. The QAnon conspiracy theory is based on unfounded claims that there is a “deep state” apparatus run by political elites, business leaders and Hollywood celebrities who are also pedophiles. They are actively working against Trump.  Supporters of the Democratic Party have been described nonsensically as belonging to a satanic cult of pedophiles and cannibals.  Here we have a group comprised of conspiracy advocates that even the FBI has identified as a domestic terrorism threat.  Their theories have resulted in violence by followers.

Then there is Trump’s unsubstantiated accusation that he is saving the world from “… radical left philosophy that will destroy this country.” Again, with no substantive evidence, the President is claiming that the Biden ticket is out to implement some form of radical socialism into American society.  Nothing in the Democratic platform would substantiate such a ridiculous claim.

Finally, there was the claim by Trump’s administration that the coronavirus outbreak was the result of being released by a laboratory in China. Further investigations, including those by the World Health Organization, have proven that this conspiracy theory was not only untrue but also nonsensical.  Why would the Chinese deliberately introduce a new virus into the population which would sicken thousands and even kill thousands of people in China, while seriously damaging the Chinese economy at the same time? On the other hand, the President initially even referred to COVID-19 as a “hoax”, a belief unfortunately taken up by many of his supporters resulting in serious health consequences.

It is regrettable and a tragedy that, during a time of major economic, political and health challenges, one has a regime that is perpetuating conspiracy theories. As always, I imagine that history will be the final judge.


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