Fact check: What is the great replacement theory

1. Summary of the results

The "great replacement theory" is a conspiracy theory that suggests there is a plot to diminish the influence of white people through immigration and demographics, with some believers thinking Jews are behind the plan ^[1]. This theory claims that welcoming immigration policies are part of a plot to undermine the political power and culture of white people in Western countries, with various iterations including rhetoric of invasion, voter replacement, and antisemitism ^[2]. The theory is described as a white nationalist conspiracy theory that falsely asserts Jews and others are orchestrating the replacement of white Americans with non-white immigrants and people of color, leading to violence and hatred against Jews, immigrants, and people of color ^[3]. According to other sources, the Great Replacement theory is a racist conspiracy claiming a deliberate plot to diminish white influence by using non-white immigration and lower white birth rates, with believers also blaming Jews, and the theory has been cited in extremist attacks such as the Buffalo supermarket shooting ^[1]. The HIAS deep-dive piece describes the Great Replacement as a white-nationalist conspiracy asserting that white Americans are being replaced by non-white immigrants, characterizing it as both anti-immigrant and antisemitic, and linking the narrative to hate-motivated violence and political rhetoric ^[3]. The Wikipedia entry explains the Great Replacement as a far-right, white-nationalist conspiracy theory originated by French writer Renaud Camus, alleging that mass immigration and differing birth rates will lead to the demographic and cultural replacement of white Europeans (and similarly in the U.S.), and notes its ties to white-genocide narratives and extremist acts ^[4]. Other sources explain the 'great replacement theory' as a conspiracy theory that believes there's a plot to diminish the influence of white people through immigration of nonwhite people and lower birth rates among white people ^[1]. The theory has gone from fringe to mainstream, with a recent poll showing one in three American adults believing in a version of replacement theory, and has been amplified by Fox News hosts and some elected Republican officials ^[5]. Some conservative activists, such as Charlie Kirk, have also discussed the 'great replacement' theory, suggesting undocumented immigrants entering the US to replace white Americans ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• The original statement lacks historical context, as the Great Replacement theory has its roots in the ideas of French writer Renaud Camus, and has evolved over time to incorporate various iterations and rhetoric ^[4].
• The statement does not provide alternative viewpoints, such as the fact that many experts and scholars consider the Great Replacement theory to be a baseless and harmful conspiracy theory that has been debunked by evidence ^[1].
• The statement does not mention the role of social media and online platforms in amplifying and spreading the Great Replacement theory, which has contributed to its mainstreaming and normalization ^[5].
• The statement does not discuss the impact of the Great Replacement theory on marginalized communities, including Jews, immigrants, and people of color, who are often the targets of violence and hatred inspired by the theory ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading in its simplicity, as it does not capture the complexity and nuance of the Great Replacement theory, which has been described as a white nationalist conspiracy theory that falsely asserts Jews and others are orchestrating the replacement of white Americans with non-white immigrants and people of color ^[3]. The statement may also be biased towards a particular perspective, as it does not provide a balanced view of the theory and its implications, and may be influenced by the agendas of certain groups or individuals who seek to promote or debunk the theory ^[5]. Additionally, the statement may be incomplete, as it does not provide a comprehensive overview of the theory, its history, and its impact on society, which may be intentional or unintentional, depending on the context and purpose of the statement ^[1].