Widespread Conspiracy Theories Reflect Deep Political Divides

Conspiracy theories have long influenced American society, with some, such as the belief that the government engineered the HIV/AIDS epidemic to target Black communities, persisting over decades. The exposure of global surveillance by Edward Snowden in 2013 further fueled the idea that government spying is widespread. Philosopher M Dentith emphasizes the importance of evaluating conspiracy theories on their merits rather than dismissing them outright, especially in today's information-saturated world. President Trump popularized the term 'fake news' and criticized mainstream media for allegedly ignoring significant Democratic scandals, highlighting ongoing debates about media bias and transparency. Additionally, conservative commentators and institutions have been accused of orchestrating a coordinated effort against Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policies in higher education, with some viewing this as part of a larger political strategy. Meanwhile, discussions continue about the extent of elite conspiracies, including the Trump administration’s pursuit of cases related to the 2016-2017 political period and the Jeffrey Epstein investigations.