Filtering
Attack target: Minorities ×
Trait: Data and algorithms are used to manipulate, not serve, the public ×
Clear all
☆ Save this search
Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Aug 10, 2026 Polymarket posted a false claim that babies receive 72 vaccine injections and had previously spread hundreds of misleading posts and a fabricated quote Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
A platform with millions of followers and family ties to the president repeatedly amplified health and political misinformation, damaging public trust in vaccines and factual discourse.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Polymarket promoted false vaccine injection claim on X — On August 10, Polymarket's official X account posted a graphic falsely claiming U.S. babies receive 72 injections, attributing this to Trump policy. Fact-checkers including PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, STAT News, and CNN determined the claim false; babies actually receive 12–30 shots by age two depending on vaccine combinations. The White House had previously posted the same false graphic in January 2026. Polymarket did not respond to requests for comment.
- New York Times documented hundreds of false Polymarket posts — In a March 2026 review, the New York Times identified hundreds of posts on Polymarket's social media accounts (which have millions of combined followers) containing false or misleading information. The review documented a pattern of misinformation, frequently targeting opponents of the Trump administration. Polymarket is connected to Trump through Donald Trump Jr., who has invested in the company and serves as an unpaid advisor.
- Polymarket falsely attributed quote to Jeff Bezos — In January 2026, Polymarket posted on X that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos advised young people to work at McDonald's or Palantir before starting their own companies. Bezos replied directly, stating "Nope. Not sure why [P]olymarket made this up." The claim distorted an earlier interview answer in which Bezos advised working at "best-practices companies" to learn fundamentals; he did not mention McDonald's or Palantir.
- Polymarket posted false claim about Ilhan Omar's net worth — In December 2025, Polymarket posted conspiracy theories about how Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's net worth increased since 2019, without disclosing that her net worth now includes assets of her husband, whom she married in 2020. The omission was material to understanding the increase and fueled unfounded speculation about financial impropriety.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 82 – 2026-08-08–2026-08-14
wk82_IM_010
May 12, 2026 Trump posted racist AI-generated memes targeting Representative Hakeem Jeffries Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
Use of AI-generated racist content amplifies racial mockery and disinformation in official political messaging.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump posts racist AI-generated memes on social media — Former President Trump posted AI-generated racist memes targeting Representative Hakeem Jeffries and obesity jokes about Governor J.B. Pritzker on social media. The posts occurred while major geopolitical and economic crises were unfolding.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 69 – 2026-05-09–2026-05-15
wk69_IM_009
Jan 20, 2026 White House posted a digitally altered image of an arrested protester to make her appear crying Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
Analysis found the administration published a manipulated photograph darkening the subject's skin and fabricating tears, using state channels to spread disinformation about a criminal defendant.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House posted AI-altered image of arrested protester — The White House posted an image of arrested protester Nekima Levy-Armstrong on social media following her arrest. The image was altered using artificial intelligence to show her crying hysterically, whereas the original photograph from the scene showed her appearing defiant. The discrepancy was quickly noticed by observers.
- White House posted AI-generated images of arrested Minneapolis protesters — The White House posted what appear to be AI-generated images connected to ongoing arrests of protesters in Minneapolis, including an AI-altered image depicting a protest organizer with tears streaming down her face. The original image shows no such thing. This represents a deeply unethical abuse of federal government power, effectively manufacturing visual narratives to intimidate, discredit, or prejudice individuals before they have had their day in court.
- White House posts digitally altered image of arrested activist on social media — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of activist Nekima Levy Armstrong on social media, manipulating the image to falsely portray her as crying and darkening her skin. The caption falsely described her as an "arrested far-left agitator" who "orchestrated church riots." The deception was uncovered by the Guardian and other news outlets after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had posted the original, unaltered image showing Armstrong composed and dignified.
- White House posts digitally altered image of arrested protester — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of Nekima Levy Armstrong, arrested during an ICE protest disruption in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 23, 2026. The altered image depicted her crying, whereas the original showed her composed. Guardian analysis confirmed the images were identical except for digital manipulation of her facial expression and apparent skin tone. The White House did not deny the alteration when questioned, instead responding with a statement defending law enforcement.
- White House posts doctored photo of arrested Minneapolis activist — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Black woman arrested during a protest at a Minneapolis church on January 23, 2026. The image darkened her skin tone and added tears to her face. Armstrong is one of three people arrested in connection with the disruptive protest. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had posted unaltered images of the other two defendants, but only Armstrong's image was manipulated by the White House. Legal experts say the act may be raised in court but is unlikely to derail the case entirely.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
wk53_IM_008