False information and conspiracy theories began to circulate online quickly in the days after the break-in and attack on Paul Pelosi at his and Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) home in San Francisco on Friday, underscoring the hold such misinformation has on a part of the culture.
In this case, the conspiracy theories were also spread by some of the most powerful people in the world — Elon Musk and former President Trump.
Musk, the tech billionaire who had just finalized his purchase of Twitter, tweeted a link to an article focusing on the event from a website known for publishing false information. He later deleted it, but not before it was sent to his millions of followers.
Trump called it a “sad situation” before suggesting no one had broken into the Speaker’s house — a conclusion in conflict with what the police have said happened.
“Wow, it’s weird things going on in that household in the last couple of weeks,” Trump said during an appearance on the “Chris Stigall Show.” “The glass it seems was broken from the inside to the out, so it wasn’t a break-in, it was a break-out.”
The spreading of disinformation provoked a furious response on Monday from San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.
“There is absolutely no evidence that Mr. Pelosi knew this man, and as a matter of fact the evidence indicates the exact opposite,” Scott said during a briefing with reporters.
He said such conspiracy theories were “damaging to the people involved” and “damaging to this investigation.”
Scott also said the conspiracies are being spread by people “whether they believe it or not.”
The conspiracies have provoked angry responses from Democrats, who say it is part of an ugly pattern.
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Conspiracy theories aided by Musk, Trump soar after Paul Pelosi attack https://t.co/J4DcGtfakg pic.twitter.com/VJgcApAJN1
— The Hill (@thehill) November 1, 2022
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