The Lingering Fallout: How Propaganda Surrounding the January 6 Attack Continues to Impact the American Public

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On Saturday, the U.S. will commemorate the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of propaganda and its ability to distort reality when exposed to the public.

Three years ago, the nation watched in horror as a violent MAGA mob overpowered authorities and breached the country's seat of democracy. Incited by Donald Trump and fueled by falsehoods, the disillusioned rioters believed in a stolen election. However, evidence later revealed that it was actually Trump who attempted to undermine democracy.

The sentiment within the Republican Party is largely influenced by misinformation from Fox News and other conservative media outlets, leading to widespread belief in the false idea that Joe Biden stole the 2020 election. This mistaken belief, known as the Big Lie, has become widely accepted among Republicans, with nearly 70% doubting the legitimacy of Biden's win according to a CNN poll.

Simultaneously, conservative media entities have been working tirelessly to absolve Trump of any responsibility for inciting the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol. Prominent figures like Tucker Carlson have repeatedly pushed the false and outrageous narrative that the attack seen on national television was a "false flag" event orchestrated by the "deep state."

While this may seem ridiculous to those who rely on credible news sources, it has unfortunately become normalized within the Republican Party. A recent poll conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland revealed that a shocking 39% of Americans who rely on Fox News as their primary source of news believe that the FBI orchestrated and encouraged the January 6 attack. Additionally, the poll found that 44% of Trump supporters also bought into this falsehood.

The staggering numbers speak for themselves, especially considering the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol. It begs the question, what will the statistics be on the 10-year anniversary of this violent assault?

This data reinforces the significant challenge posed by propaganda for the news media and those committed to upholding a truthful society and preserving an accurate historical record for future generations.

The unfortunate reality is that as these falsehoods continue to spread, the mainstream media may not have put forth the necessary effort to effectively combat the toxic lies that are likely to play a significant role in this year's presidential election. This is not to discount the crucial work of the news media in fact-checking the misleading claims being circulated. However, this situation is akin to the way anti-vaccine activists overwhelm reliable sources with misinformation, a tactic that has succeeded in propagating pseudoscience to numerous individuals. Alan Feuer and Molly Cook Escobar of The New York Times recently reported on the extensive DOJ investigation into the insurrection, highlighting the disconcerting fact that "a few more people are arrested every week." Yet, the general public may not be fully aware of this troubling reality. The duo also emphasized that while certain cases have garnered widespread attention, such as those involving far-right groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers militia, the majority of the prosecutions have remained under the radar, taking place in quiet hearings with minimal attendance.

Maybe, this is one of the issues. Maybe this is the time for the media to do even more to expose the disturbing events that occurred at the center of U.S. democracy three years ago. The stakes are incredibly high. And with polls showing how distorted reality has become for many Americans, it's hard to argue against it.