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Fact check: Democrats have not spread any conspiracy theory

Checked on August 29, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal a complex landscape regarding conspiracy theories and political misinformation, but provide limited direct evidence supporting or refuting the claim that Democrats have not spread conspiracy theories.

The sources primarily focus on Republican-associated conspiracy theories and misinformation. For instance, one analysis discusses conspiracy theories surrounding Biden and Harris but attributes their spread to "right-wing influencers and politicians" rather than Democrats [1]. Similarly, another source examines Elon Musk's claims about Democrats importing voters, which have been disputed by voting and immigration experts [2].

However, one significant source presents "100 DAYS OF HOAXES" allegedly spread by Democrats and their allies, as claimed by the White House, though the analysis notes this "does not provide conclusive evidence that Democrats have spread conspiracy theories, but rather presents a series of disputed claims and counterclaims" [3].

The analyses also highlight disinformation as a broader political phenomenon affecting both parties, with sources noting that "disinformation can come from both domestic and foreign sources" and is "often spread with malign intent" [4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks crucial nuance about the complexity of modern political misinformation. Several key perspectives are absent:

  • Republican claims of Democratic misinformation: The White House document cited presents numerous alleged examples of Democratic "hoaxes," though these remain disputed [3]
  • Institutional vs. individual behavior: The analyses don't clearly distinguish between official Democratic Party positions and individual Democrats' statements
  • Historical context: Missing discussion of how both major political parties have historically engaged with conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns
  • Expert perspectives on disinformation: Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, emphasizes that "disinformation is spread with malign intent and is a significant threat to democracy," highlighting the intentional nature of such campaigns [5]
  • Bipartisan nature of the problem: Sources indicate conspiracy theories and misinformation affect the entire political spectrum, with examples including "Hurricane Helene" disinformation campaigns involving various political actors [6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains several problematic elements:

  • Absolute language: The claim uses "have not spread any conspiracy theory," which is an extremely broad assertion that's difficult to verify comprehensively
  • Lack of definitional clarity: The statement doesn't define what constitutes a "conspiracy theory" versus legitimate political criticism or investigation
  • Selective framing: The statement appears to present Democrats as uniquely innocent of conspiracy theory promotion, while the analyses suggest misinformation is a cross-party phenomenon
  • Potential partisan bias: The absolute nature of the claim suggests possible political motivation rather than objective assessment

The analyses reveal that while specific evidence of Democratic conspiracy theory promotion is limited in these sources, the claim's categorical nature makes it inherently suspect. Speaker Johnson's documentation of alleged Democratic misinformation [4] and the White House's compilation of supposed "hoaxes" [3] suggest that powerful Republican figures would benefit from promoting the opposite narrative - that Democrats are significant spreaders of conspiracy theories.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the most common conspiracy theories associated with Democrats?
How do fact-checking organizations evaluate conspiracy theories spread by Democrats?
Can Democrats be held accountable for spreading misinformation on social media?
What role do Democrats play in debunking conspiracy theories in the US?
How do Democrats address accusations of spreading conspiracy theories during election campaigns?