The Impact of Misinformation on American Perception

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In this heated political climate, it's common to dismiss those who spread false information and label all conspiracy theorists as unreliable.

As the US gears up for another election where misinformation will likely be a big issue, it’s crucial to figure out why some people doubt the legitimacy of US elections.

CNN's Donie O’Sullivan will be presenting a one-hour documentary called “MisinfoNation: The Trump Faithful” on “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper” this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

I had a chat with O’Sullivan about his documentary where he has candid discussions with individuals about what has caused them to doubt the US. He expresses concern about the increasing presence of fringe groups in the nation.

Below is our phone conversation, which has been edited for brevity.

The fringes have infected the mainstream

WOLF: What were you trying to accomplish with this project?

O’SULLIVAN: Mainstream American politics is increasingly influenced by what used to be considered fringe elements - like fringe platforms and fringe personalities.

I believe that our show aims to demonstrate how these personalities, despite spreading misinformation, are no longer on the fringes. This is happening in real time and is significantly impacting our democracy.

Many of the individuals you interview are just regular folks. Your approach during these interviews is warm and courteous, even when addressing misinformation. I appreciate how you engage in conversations with people instead of simply correcting them. Can you share more about your interviewing style and how you handle these situations?

O’SULLIVAN: My job is not about changing people’s minds. There are others who can do that. I am more interested in listening to what people believe and why they believe it.

When sharing information with our audience, we will ensure that they have all the facts. However, I believe it is crucial to approach each interview with an open mind and the realization that we are all human.

Many people in the country believe in these ideas. According to recent polls, around a third of Americans doubt the legitimacy of Joe Biden's victory in the last election. Additionally, about a quarter of Americans think that the FBI was involved in staging the events of January 6. This means there are tens of millions of people who hold these beliefs.

Despite their unconventional beliefs, many of these individuals lead normal lives. They have jobs, families, and are active members of their communities. However, for some reason, they become fixated on election conspiracies or fall into the trap of following QAnon theories.

I believe it's crucial for us to treat everyone with respect, even if they may not reciprocate it.

We have featured snippets of interviews with individuals we have encountered during our journey. One of them is Rachel Powell, who is currently incarcerated for her actions on January 6. Despite her circumstances, she is a mother and a grandmother. After sharing part of her interview, I received numerous comments online questioning why we were portraying her in a humane light. In response, I simply stated, "She is a human being."

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O'Sullivan asks Rachel Powell, going to prison for Jan. 6, if she blames Trump. Hear her response

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How can we ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to facts?

WOLF: Your role isn't about changing people's opinions, but I'm curious to know your thoughts on how we can encourage people to agree on a common set of facts after working on this documentary.

O’SULLIVAN: I believe that listening and having conversations with people is key. One person we spoke to is Joe Black from Colorado.

(Note: They crossed paths at a Donald Trump rally. O’Sullivan later reaches out to Black and ends up visiting him at his home. They compare what Black sees on social media with what O’Sullivan sees.)

He didn’t even know that CNN would ever do a fact check of Joe Biden.

(Note: CNN does many.)

It’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to have difficult conversations. Sitting down and talking with others is the first step towards understanding different perspectives.

Many of us know someone who has fallen into the trap of believing election lies or conspiracy theories. Experts emphasize the importance of empathy when dealing with these situations. It's crucial to approach these discussions with compassion, rather than immediately labeling someone as wrong.

Many people are shocked to learn that the word "God" is not mentioned in the Constitution. Throughout the show, there is a recurring belief among Christian nationalists that the US is a Christian nation, with Christianity woven into the Constitution and other founding documents. As you watched the show, did you anticipate this revelation or did it catch you by surprise?

O’SULLIVAN: Right now, there are many different aspects to what is going on in the country, particularly concerning trust and distrust in democracy. Christian nationalism is one of these aspects that we wanted to explore in this documentary, showing how it intersects with other issues.

When it comes to Christian nationalism, we chose to focus on it because 1) it is a topic that frequently comes up at events I attend, and 2) there is a growing awareness surrounding it.

Tim Alberta had a very good book last year about it.

(Note: Watch CNN’s Christiane Amanpour interview Alberta.)

Many evangelical and Christian pastors are expressing deep concerns about the way their faith is being used to undermine democracy. This rapid weaponization of conservative Christianity is not a new phenomenon, but the current urgency is unprecedented.

Some pastors have noticed that some members of their congregation have left because they felt that the sermons were not political enough or did not directly support Trump as the candidate.

In a documentary, Pastor Caleb Campbell explains that he often has conversations with fellow evangelicals. As a theological evangelical, he points out that many people mistakenly believe that the Christian God is mentioned throughout the Constitution and founding documents, which is actually not the case.

Being a Christian or a patriot is perfectly fine. However, the issue with Christian nationalism is that it promotes a particular type of Christianity over others, potentially infringing on the freedoms of others. Fringe platforms often support fringe movements.

WOLF: You’ve covered these fringe movements, but you’ve also covered some of the social media stuff and I wonder what you think people should know about the rise of these kinds of fringe social media platforms — Telegram is the one featured in the documentary — that are gaining traction.

O’SULLIVAN: Many individuals were removed from the major social media platforms following the events of January 6. Not only was Trump banned, but also many of his supporters faced bans for sharing election conspiracy theories or similar content.

In the documentary, we are introduced to Joe Black, who shared a meme about January 6 and was subsequently kicked off Facebook. Black expressed feeling isolated as he could no longer perform simple tasks like buying items on the platform.

Social media has led people to explore darker corners of the internet that are more extreme and can be radicalizing. It's a dilemma because platforms like Facebook have rules, but when people are kicked off, they may turn to even more extreme platforms.

Twitter, on the other hand, has undergone significant changes. In 2016, social media seemed to have fewer safeguards, allowing Russian trolls and other malicious actors to thrive.

In 2020, social media platforms implemented a major crackdown that received backlash from conservatives. This led to a significant shift in the online landscape, creating a new dynamic.

Many are now hoping for a pardon from Trump.

O’SULLIVAN: Rachel Powell, the mother you interviewed who was on her way to prison, is currently in prison. I recently received a letter from her this week, which she sent from a prison in West Virginia. The letter was actually sent over a month ago, but it just reached me this week.

She is holding onto the hope that if Trump is reelected, she will be pardoned. This election holds a lot of significance for her. It is noteworthy that Trump has been highlighting the individuals prosecuted for January 6, portraying them as martyrs in recent months.

She is currently incarcerated and shares a cell with a roommate. Despite her situation, her faith in Trump has not diminished in any way.

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the rise of fringe groups and the spread of misinformation in the lead-up to the US elections. It highlights the need for civil discourse and empathy when engaging with individuals who hold unconventional beliefs. The documentary "MisinfoNation: The Trump Faithful" delves into the motivations behind election conspiracy theories and the growing influence of Christian nationalism.

The article also touches upon the role of social media platforms in spreading misinformation and the challenges they face in balancing free speech with the need to curb harmful content. It raises concerns about the potential radicalization of individuals who are pushed to the fringes of the internet after being banned from mainstream platforms. The documentary serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and factual information in combating the spread of misinformation and preserving the integrity of democratic processes.