A study published in American Behavioral Scientist examined who spread disinformation and who was targeted by it during the 2024 US presidential campaign. Authors Alba Córdoba-Cabús and Andreu Casero-Ripollés of Jaume I University in Spain analysed 374 false claims selected from the PolitiFact database between January 2024 and January 2025. In more than 90% of cases, the source of the false claim could be identified, indicating that these tactics were public rather than covert. Anonymous users were the most common source, accounting for almost 40% of the falsehoods. Candidates and celebrities or online influencers tied for second place, with each group accounting for approximately 16% of the claims. Republican actors produced around 73% of the fact-checked falsehoods, and Democratic actors around 22%. Most false material targeted political opponents: candidates were the primary targets in 38% of cases, Democratic figures in 57%, and Republican figures in 22%.
Who spreads disinformation and how
The researchers divided participants into ‘senders’—those who originate false claims—and ‘receivers’—those the claims are about. Anonymous users and influencers used social media almost exclusively. Political candidates and public officials took a different approach: they spread unverified statements through rallies, television interviews and press releases, seeking to reach voters through different formats rather than relying solely on internet algorithms.
The subject matter of the falsehoods varied by source. Politicians more often made false statements about public policy—the economy, immigration and crime. Anonymous users and influencers focused on the mechanics of the campaign: the voting process, polling data or the private lives of political figures.
The techniques also differed. Political actors more often used misleading content—distorting real statistics or misinterpreting data to fit a desired narrative. Anonymous users and influencers more frequently resorted to false context: real images, videos or quotations were accompanied by fabricated details that changed their original meaning.
Party affiliation and new tactics
Of the fact-checked falsehoods, around 73% originated from actors associated with the Republican Party, and approximately 22% from Democratic actors. Most false content targeted political rivals. Candidates were the primary targets in 38% of the material analysed. Democratic figures were the focus of false claims in 57% of cases, and Republican figures in 22%.
The researchers also noted an increase in so-called constructive disinformation. While falsehoods have traditionally been used to attack, Republican actors devoted almost 20% of their false statements to portraying their own party or candidate in a positive light—to exaggerate achievements or bolster support rather than smear an opponent. Democratic actors used the same supportive tactic, but less often—in approximately 7% of cases. This points to an evolution in political deception: fake news can serve not only as a weapon against opponents but also as an artificial boost to a candidate’s appeal.
Limitations of the study
The findings are based on data from a single fact-checking organisation. Since fact-checkers cannot examine every questionable statement during an election, the sample is unlikely to cover all the unverified content that circulated online. The study draws on a specific subset of confirmed falsehoods rather than the entirety of online political discourse.
The study focuses exclusively on the 2024 US presidential election. The communication tactics observed may not carry over to other countries or local political races. Future research should examine elections in different regions of the world to determine whether these patterns persist in other political systems.
Source: PsyPost – Psychology News
