This observation by the Intercept’s Robert Mackay is very important.
Russia lied about documents stolen from Ukrainian labs doing public health research, by calling them proof of secret bioweapons lab. What makes this disinformation is an orchestrated campaign to spread lies and innuendo about what’s in authentic documents
In 2016, the FBI review of emails found on Anthony Weiner’s laptop from his wife’s boss, Hillary Clinton, revealed zero evidence of crimes by Clinton, but it created the perception of criminality, stoked by Trump’s lies about what was on the laptop
“Pizzagate” was essentially a desperate (and wildly successful) effort to spread disinformation by lying that authentic but innocuous emails stolen from the Clinton campaign were secretly coded evidence of an imaginary child sex trafficking ring
In 2020, Trump supporters like Giuliani sought to create the impression of criminality by Joe Biden, first by seeking to force Zelensky to announce an investigation and then with lurid rumors about Hunter Biden’s laptop. Does the laptop prove criminality or not is what matters.
And we know that creating the appearance of criminality by one or both Bidens was the focus Trump’s pressure on Zelensky, because the demand was for him to deliver lines on CNN prepared for him by two US diplomats acting on orders from Trump and Giuliani
Originally tweeted by Robert Mackey (@RobertMackey) on March 21, 2022.
This is not some organic phenomenon. It crops up from the fever swamps and from foreign agents but cynical political actors are the one’s exploiting it. And I think you know who I’m talking about.