Hillary Clinton Warns of Election Disinformation Targeting Harris
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has issued a warning about possibly disruptive political efforts in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential election.
Specifically, Mrs. Clinton foresees potential harmful misinformation campaigns targeting Kamala Harris as the November election nears, as Newsmax reports.
During a recent episode of Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, Clinton discussed the dangers of misinformation. She pointed to the "pizzagate" conspiracy that targeted her during the 2016 campaign as a prime example of how damaging these conspiracies can be.
"Pizzagate" was a theory that accused Clinton of running a child trafficking ring out of a Washington, D.C., pizzeria.
This led to a violent incident in December 2016, when a man armed with an assault rifle stormed the restaurant.
The attacker, motivated by the conspiracy theory, believed he was there to rescue children purportedly held captive. His actions caused terror and damage, highlighting the real-world consequences of such false claims.
The Role of Misinformation in Modern Politics
U.S. District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson later sentenced the gunman to four years in prison. She condemned the attack as an "ill-conceived plot" that had severe repercussions for all involved.
Clinton emphasized the process by which misinformation spreads from obscure corners of the internet to mainstream media.
She described it as beginning in the dark web, getting picked up by pro-Trump outlets, and eventually being reported by mainstream media, thereby gaining massive coverage.
This pattern of misinformation, according to Clinton, poses a significant risk to the political landscape, particularly as it pertains to candidates like Harris who are in the public eye.
Anticipating Challenges for Vice President Harris
While Clinton did not specify what form the supposed misinformation against Harris might take, she expressed certainty that something would surface. "There will be concerted efforts to distort and pervert Kamala Harris, who she is, what she stands for, what she's done," Clinton said during the interview.
She recalled her own experience with "pizzagate," describing it as a ludicrous story that nonetheless convinced someone to act violently.
"Don't laugh," she remarked, "It was a huge story. And it got one young man in North Carolina to get in his car with his, you know, assault rifle and drove up to liberate these nonexistent children and shoot up a pizzeria in Washington, D.C."
"This is dangerous stuff," Clinton stressed, underscoring the seriousness with which such misinformation should be treated and the comprehensive efforts required to debunk it.
Global Disinformation and Electoral Integrity
Clinton also highlighted the role of foreign adversaries in spreading disinformation. Countries like Russia, Iran, and China, she noted, have an interest in influencing the outcome of U.S. elections through social media and other platforms.
She stressed her belief in the importance of maintaining a vigilant and informed press to counteract these efforts. According to Clinton, the media must consistently highlight the threats posed by misinformation and the actors, like Donald Trump, who benefit from it.
The ongoing challenge of combating misinformation remains a key concern for public figures and citizens alike as the election approaches.
Clinton’s call to action underscores what she sees as the need for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.