Democracy at Risk — Misinformation Must Be Stopped

Misinformation is not just a problem—it’s a crisis. False claims spread faster than the truth (Nature, 2024). Bad actors, foreign and domestic, are using disinformation to divide Americans and erode trust in institutions (Brookings Institution, 2024). Now, under President Trump, the federal government is becoming a propaganda machine, with the White House website promoting misinformation instead of facts (Pew Research Center, 2025). One of the most dangerous lies is that the 2020 and 2024 elections were “stolen.” These claims were debunked by state audits, bipartisan commissions, and Trump’s own DOJ (AP, 2023). Over 60 courts rejected fraud cases for lack of evidence (Reuters, 2023). Yet these lies fueled the January 6 attack, voter suppression laws, and threats against election officials. This is not democracy. Disinformation is already doing harm. Public trust in institutions is at a record low (Pew Research, 2025). Vaccine lies have fueled disease outbreaks (WHO, 2022). Climate change denial stalls action on real threats to our economy and security (Berkeley Cybersecurity Report, 2024). Trump’s administration is purging experts and installing loyalists, leaving fewer professionals to counter these falsehoods (New America, 2024). Other democracies have fought back. Finland teaches media literacy in schools, and the EU has strict disinformation laws (New America, 2024; Berkeley, 2024). But in the U.S., misinformation spreads unchecked, warping public perception. Enough is enough. I urge you to introduce legislation to hold public officials accountable for spreading lies, ensure government transparency, and fund media literacy programs. Democracy cannot survive when truth is optional. Will you take a stand before it’s too late? References: • Nature, The Spread of Disinformation vs. Facts, 2024. • Brookings Institution, Misinformation and Its Threat to Democracy, 2024. • Pew Research Center, Public Perception of Government Misinformation, 2025. • AP, DOJ and State Audits Confirm No Widespread Election Fraud, 2023. • Reuters, Analysis of Election Lawsuits and Findings, 2023. • WHO, The Impact of Health Misinformation, 2022. • Berkeley Cybersecurity Report, EU Strategies Against Misinformation, 2024. • New America, Finland’s Approach to Media Literacy, 2024.