Fact check: Post Title: How are we all enjoying our last day of “normal”. No matter what happens tomorrow, it will be a new normal. Post Content: We could be in the beginning of a dictatorship or the beginning of a brave new world. There will be change which is hard and uncomfortable. I decided to do something special to celebrate the last day of normal so curious what “my people” are doing today trying to keep our heads from exploding? It’s snowing while the sun is out, so I’m going to go enjoy that for a bit. Original Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/somethingiswrong2024/comments/1i52s9z/how_are_we_all_enjoying_our_last_day_of_normal_no/

1. Summary of the results

The post refers to January 19, 2025, the day before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. The transition represents a significant political shift, with Trump having won 312 electoral votes compared to Harris's 226 ^[1]. The inauguration itself will be held indoors in the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme weather, with approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel present ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original post omits several crucial pieces of context:

• The specific democratic challenges facing the country, including concerns about democratic regression and the rise of "anti-system" political figures ^[3]
• Trump's previous actions regarding the 2020 election, including documented attempts to pressure state officials and support for conspiracy theories ^[1]
• A Department of Justice report confirming Trump's criminal efforts to overturn the 2020 election results ^[4]
• The unprecedented security measures being implemented, with most ticketed guests unable to attend the inauguration in person ^[2]
• The expectation that Trump's Cabinet nominees will demonstrate strong loyalty to his agenda ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The post presents a false binary between "dictatorship" and "brave new world," when the reality is more complex:

• While there are legitimate concerns about democratic stability ^[6], the American republic has previously demonstrated resilience against challenges to its democratic institutions ^[1]
• The post's dramatic framing of a "last day of normal" overlooks that transitions of power, while significant, are regular features of democratic systems
• The key question isn't just about tomorrow's transition but about future elections - specifically whether Republicans would accept a Democratic victory in subsequent elections ^[6]

Those benefiting from dramatic "end of democracy" narratives include:

• Media outlets seeking engagement through sensationalized coverage
• Political figures on both sides who can use fear to mobilize their base
• Foreign adversaries who benefit from perceived instability in American democracy