Narrow these 718 — tap a value to filter:
Trait 41
Transparency laws are weakened or unenforced 79Independent media is starved while state-aligned outlets thrive 72Dissenters are labeled unpatriotic, subversive, or corrupt 52Government archives are sealed, sanitized, or destroyed 50Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountability 49Memory is curated by power—what cannot be controlled is erased 44Journalists investigating the elite are surveilled or smeared 36Elections are flooded with disinformation funded by elite actors 26Law is a weapon of the state, not a limit on its power 23Data and algorithms are used to manipulate, not serve, the public 20Surveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaque 20Textbooks and museums are altered to erase dissent and accountability 15National history is rewritten to glorify conquest, not justice 14Dissent is reframed as disorder, treason, or terrorism 13Civil courts are used to harass and silence critics 12Public funds are used for personal glorification and symbolic dominance 10Economic data is selectively published, massaged, or ignored 9Investigations into corruption are blocked, buried, or retaliated against 9Universities are pressured to suppress dissent or lose funding 8Citizenship is stratified by wealth, ideology, and heritage 7Crony capitalism becomes indistinguishable from governance 7Religion is co-opted as a tool of legitimacy and control 7Civil service roles are politicized or privatized 6State power is outsourced to unaccountable private contractors 6Statues, portraits, and records of disfavored leaders are removed without process 5Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interests 4Civic education is hollowed out and replaced with market ideology 4Crimes committed by elite donors or allies are concealed, not prosecuted 4Executive power operates without effective oversight 4Voter suppression is rationalized as election integrity 4Foreign influence is welcomed if it supports regime interests 3Whistleblowers are prosecuted, not protected 3Federal power is weaponized against disfavored states or localities 2Inspectors general are fired or ignored 2Policy outcomes are driven by elite lobbying and financial contributions 2Political appointments are awarded based on loyalty and wealth 2Judicial independence is eroded through politicized appointments 1Opposition parties are allowed but structurally weakened 1Police and military are aligned with elite preservation, not public defense 1Public tragedy is monetized by regime insiders 1Wealth buys not only speech, but law 1
Attack target 50
The Information Environment 296Truth 282The Press 174The Justice Department 75Transparency 72Rule of Law 56Public Memory 36Public Service 29Minorities 25Public Health 25Immigrants & Refugees 22Science 19Elections 18Diplomacy 17Education 16Global Democracy 16Public Norms & Decency 16The Intelligence Community 15The Civil Service 14Culture & the Arts 13The Constitution 12Congress 11The Courts 11Separation of Powers 10The Military 10LGBTQ People 9Peace 6Anti-Corruption Safeguards 5Free Speech 5Inspectors General & Watchdogs 5The Presidency 4Whistleblowers 4Allies 3Children 3Low-Income Americans 3Religious Freedom 3The Idea of America 3Women 3Law Enforcement 2Privacy 2The Economy 2The Sick & Vulnerable 2Workers 2Disabled People 1Dissent & Protest 1Peaceful Transfer of Power 1Presidential Succession & Capacity 1The Environment 1The Internet 1Trade 1
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
Oct 7, 2025 President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expanded a crackdown on Pentagon press leaks Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The effort threatened reporting on defense matters by increasing pressure on sources and narrowing information flow to the public.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Expands Crackdown on Pentagon Press Leaks — Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are expanding efforts to crack down on press leaks from the Pentagon, with reports of leakers practicing countermeasures.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 38 – 2025-10-04–2025-10-10
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Oct 6, 2025 Democracy Forward sued the FBI and DOJ over a FOIA request tied to an alleged Tom Homan bribe recording Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The suit highlighted resistance to public records access in a matter involving possible official corruption.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Democracy Forward Sues FBI and DOJ Over FOIA Request — Democracy Forward sued the FBI and DOJ for failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request regarding a recording of border czar Tom Homan allegedly accepting a bribe.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 38 – 2025-10-04–2025-10-10
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Oct 5, 2025 President Trump repeated a false claim that he had warned about Osama bin Laden before 9/11 Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The false statement distorted public memory and showed presidential use of misinformation about major national events.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- False Claims by Trump About Osama bin Laden Warning — President Trump repeated a false claim that he warned about Osama bin Laden in a book published before the 9/11 attacks.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 38 – 2025-10-04–2025-10-10
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Oct 5, 2025 President Trump attacked Rev. Al Sharpton and NBC and suggested NBC's license should be reviewed Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The threat used presidential rhetoric to pressure a broadcaster and chill critical media coverage.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Attacks Rev. Al Sharpton and NBC on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump attacked civil rights activist Rev.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 38 – 2025-10-04–2025-10-10
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Oct 4, 2025 OpenAI launched Sora 2 despite reports that it generated violent, racist, and misleading content Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release expanded the capacity for synthetic media to distort public understanding and spread harmful false content at scale.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- OpenAI launches Sora 2 video app with problematic content — OpenAI launched its new video app, Sora 2, which quickly became popular but was soon criticized for generating violent and racist content, including videos depicting copyrighted characters in harmful scenarios.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 38 – 2025-10-04–2025-10-10
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Oct 3, 2025 Apple removed ICE-tracking apps from its App Store after administration pressure Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The removals showed government pressure shaping what accountability tools the public could access about immigration enforcement.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Apple removes ICE tracking apps after pressure from Trump administration — Apple has removed the IceBlock app and similar applications from its App Store following pressure from the Trump administration.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Oct 3, 2025 The Department of Education changed out-of-office replies to blame Democrats for the shutdown Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The altered replies used routine government communications to shape public blame and obscure neutral administrative practice.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS changes out-of-office replies to blame Democrats — The Department of Education altered out-of-office email replies for furloughed employees during the government shutdown, changing them from neutral messages to ones blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Oct 2, 2025 The White House issued a press release claiming Tylenol use in pregnancy causes autism Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release presented contested science as settled fact and risked using official channels to mislead the public on health evidence.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Issues Press Release on Tylenol and Autism — The White House issued a press release claiming that the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy causes autism, citing several scientific studies.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Oct 2, 2025 The White House played AI-generated deepfake videos of Democratic leaders in the briefing room Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
Using synthetic propaganda in an official setting marked a direct state role in spreading manipulated political content.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Plays Racist Deepfake Video of Democratic Leaders — On Wednesday, the White House played a pair of AI-generated deepfake videos on loop in the briefing room.
- Trump posts doctored video targeting Hakeem Jeffries — President Donald J.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 30, 2025 The Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a banner blaming the radical left for the shutdown Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The banner turned a federal information channel into partisan propaganda and weakened norms of neutral public communication.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- HUD website blames 'radical left' for looming shutdown — On September 30, 2025, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website displayed a giant red banner blaming the "radical left" for an impending government shutdown.
- HUD Blames "Radical Left" for Shutdown — The Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a banner on its website blaming the "radical left" for the impending government shutdown.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 30, 2025 The National Archives inspector general opened an investigation into the release of Rep. Mikie Sherrill's records Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The probe raised concerns that sensitive records may have been disclosed in a politically selective way.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Investigation into Release of Rep. Sherrill's Records — The acting inspector general for the National Archives opened an investigation into the release of Rep.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 29, 2025 President Trump posted a racist AI-generated video of Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The post used synthetic media to smear political opponents and degrade the integrity of democratic communication.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
CNN · ABC News · Politico · The Guardian · RealClearPolitics
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Posts Racist AI-Generated Video — President Trump posted a vulgar and racist AI-generated video of Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries on Truth Social.
- Deepfake Video of Schumer and Jeffries Released — President Trump's social media account shared a deepfake video of Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, depicting them in a derogatory manner.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
wk37_IM_005
Sep 29, 2025 YouTube settled Trump's lawsuit over his post-January 6 suspension Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The settlement highlighted the pressure large political actors can exert on platforms over moderation decisions that shape the public sphere.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- YouTube Settles Lawsuit with Trump — YouTube agreed to a $24.5 million settlement with Trump to end a lawsuit he brought after the platform suspended his account following the Jan.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 27, 2025 Donald Trump falsely claimed FBI agents instigated the January 6 attack Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The claim distorted public understanding of a major anti-democratic event and undermined trust in factual accountability for political violence.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Spreads False FBI Agent Claims — Former President Donald Trump spread false claims on social media that 274 FBI agents were embedded in the crowd during the January 6th Capitol riot to instigate violence.
- Trump Claims FBI Agents Were Agitators on January 6 — Former President Trump claimed that 274 FBI agents were present at the January 6 Capitol riot, suggesting they acted as agitators.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 27, 2025 Elon Musk criticized reporting about his name appearing in released Epstein files Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The reaction showed how elite figures contested the framing of newly public records tied to a high-profile investigation.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Elon Musk Responds to Epstein Files Release — Elon Musk criticized Sky News for a headline linking him to the latest Epstein files released by House Oversight Democrats.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
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Sep 25, 2025 President Trump criticized ABC for bringing Jimmy Kimmel back and suggested the show was an illegal campaign contribution Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The attack extended official pressure on a broadcaster over critical speech and signaled possible retaliation against media outlets.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Associated Press · BBC · PBS · The Hill · NBC News · New York Post · The Atlantic
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump criticizes ABC and Jimmy Kimmel's return — President Trump publicly criticized ABC for allowing comedian Jimmy Kimmel to return to television, suggesting that Kimmel's show is a form of illegal campaign contribution to the Democratic National Committee.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 25, 2025 Sinclair and Nexstar refused to air Jimmy Kimmel on some ABC affiliates Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The carriage refusal narrowed distribution of political comedy content and showed how corporate gatekeepers can constrain speech.
Independently corroborated by8 independent news desks
BBC · CNBC · NBC News · PBS · New York Post · The Washington Times · National Review · The Atlantic
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Sinclair and Nexstar Media Companies Refuse to Air Kimmel — Sinclair and Nexstar media companies have decided not to air Jimmy Kimmel's show on their ABC affiliates.
- Sinclair and Nexstar Not Airing Kimmel on ABC Affiliates — Sinclair and Nexstar media companies have decided not to air Jimmy Kimmel on their ABC affiliates, raising concerns about free speech and media control.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 25, 2025 The National Archives released nearly unredacted military records of Representative Mikie Sherrill to an ally of her opponent Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release suggested misuse of sensitive government records in an election context and weakened trust in neutral recordkeeping.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reports
- National Archives Releases Unredacted Military Records — A branch of the National Archives released nearly unredacted military records of Democratic Rep.
- National Archives Releases Military Records Improperly — On September 25, 2025, the National Archives and Records Administration improperly released the full military records of Democratic representative Mikie Sherrill to an ally of her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 24, 2025 President Trump claimed a UN escalator malfunction was sabotage Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The claim turned a routine technical incident into a political attack narrative without evidence, feeding distrust and spectacle.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Comments on Escalator Incident at UN — Former President Trump claimed that an escalator malfunction at the United Nations was an act of sabotage intended to harm him and the First Lady.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
wk36_IM_011
Sep 23, 2025 President Trump promoted unproven claims linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The claims spread misinformation from the top of government and risked distorting medical decisions through false authority.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Promotes Unproven Medical Claims About Acetaminophen — President Trump announced that the FDA would notify doctors that pregnant women taking acetaminophen face a "very increased risk of autism," contradicting decades of medical evidence supporting the drug's safety during
- Trump comments on paracetamol and autism — Former President Donald Trump made claims linking the use of paracetamol (Tylenol in the US) to autism in infants, suggesting that pregnant women should consult their doctors about limiting its use.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 23, 2025 The White House denied reports that Tom Homan had accepted a $50,000 bribe Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The denial shaped public understanding of a corruption scandal while the underlying investigation had already been shut down.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Denies Tom Homan Accepted $50,000 Bribe — The White House stated that Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, did not accept a $50,000 bribe, contradicting earlier reports that indicated he had taken the money in exchange for steering government contracts for border
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 22, 2025 President Trump said negative coverage of his administration was illegal and called for prosecution of critics Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The statement framed criticism as criminal and threatened core free-speech protections in the democratic sphere.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Calls for Prosecution of Critics — On September 21, 2025, President Trump stated that covering his administration negatively is "really illegal" and called for the prosecution of individuals who criticize him, including those who heckled him in public
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 22, 2025 Health experts and Democratic critics publicly challenged Trump's misleading claims about Tylenol and autism Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The pushback sought to contain misinformation from a national political figure before it distorted public health understanding.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Democrats criticize Trump's public health statements — Following Trump's press conference where he made misleading claims about autism and Tylenol, several health experts and politicians criticized his statements as dangerously irresponsible.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 21, 2025 The FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's criticism of the administration Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The threat used broadcast licensing power to pressure a network over political speech, endangering media independence.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FCC threatens ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's criticism — The Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump loyalist Brendan Carr, threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC stations after the network took late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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Sep 21, 2025 ABC and Disney reinstated Jimmy Kimmel after suspending his show Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The reversal showed media companies responding to backlash after a politically charged suspension that raised censorship concerns.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- ABC/Disney reinstates Jimmy Kimmel after suspension — ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show would return to broadcast after being suspended on September 17.
- ABC reinstates Jimmy Kimmel's show after suspension — Following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, there has been significant public backlash, leading to Disney's decision to reinstate the show after discussions with Kimmel.
- Backlash Against Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's Show
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 36 – 2025-09-20–2025-09-26
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