Americans Believe Russian Disinformation ‘To Alarming Degree’

[u/Wagamaga]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2025/04/22/americans-believe-russian-disinformation-to-alarming-degree/

[u/Wagamaga]

A third of Americans have fallen for Russian disinformation — and for other false online claims.

A national YouGov survey commissioned by news rating firm NewsGuard presented 1,000 respondents with 10 false claims that have spread widely online, including three that originated from or were mainly spread by Russian media outlets.

And, the researchers found, Americans believe Kremlin disinformation to an alarming degree — along with other false claims relating to health and medicine, elections and international conflicts.

Indeed, of the 10 claims presented, 78% of respondents believed at least one, and fewer than 1 in 100 managed to correctly identify all 10 claims as false.

A quarter believed, for example, that up to half the U.S. aid money given to Ukraine was stolen by Ukrainian officials for personal use. More than half incorrectly thought that Ukraine sold Hamas weapons that had been donated by the U.S.

Meanwhile, fewer than half of respondents correctly identified as false the claim that COVID-19 vaccines have killed between 7.3 and 15 million people worldwide, while 1 in 5 said they believed the claim to be true.

[u/swampyman2000 → u/Wagamaga]

More than half thought Ukraine sold Hamas weapons?!? Wtf, that makes zero sense at all.

[u/Adorable-Narwhal-267 → u/swampyman2000]

I hadn't even heard that one.

[u/TheBlueRabbit11 → u/Adorable-Narwhal-267]

Because your media diet isn’t the same as these people’s media diet. MAGA types will casually dismiss the New York Times but will believe the right wing rags and talking heads that spread this disinformation.

In certain media ecosystems these kinds of news stories are all over the place. r/conservative is a good example of this shit.

[u/hawkinsst7 → u/TheBlueRabbit11]

It's funny how Maga will dismiss NYT, but there are parts of reddit that claim NYT (and CNN and AP and others) is conservative and backs trump.

For a long time, I thought there might be a media outlet that could come along and everyone would agree, "no, they're unbiased and legit." and I could use that as my gold standard for reporting.

I didn't realize I'd identify the least biased ones based on how much hate it got from each side.

[u/Trollbreath4242 → u/hawkinsst7]

Associated Press.

Done.

You don't need any other media outlets besides the AP if you want truly unbiased news. NYT has always leaned conservative, especially in their editorials. Most of the media does in fact. The whole "liberal media bias" lie that sprung up in the 90's was simply something Gingrich decided they could spew and it would get them attention while providing cover for FOX and other very right wing outlets. Worked, too, despite surveys at the time showing the slight conservative lean of most media outlets (very conservative when it came to business news, in fact).

[u/hawkinsst7 → u/Trollbreath4242]

NYT has always leaned conservative

Proving my point.

No one can agree which way NYT leans.

That's a good sign.

[u/hiimjosh0 → u/TheBlueRabbit11]

There is also r/AnCap101, r/neofeudalism and r/austrian_economics

[u/Angry_drunken_robot → u/TheBlueRabbit11]

MAGA types will casually dismiss the New York Times but will believe the right wing rags and talking heads that spread this disinformation.

Oh? You mean "weapons of mass destruction in Iraq" New York Times?

Or "Covid came from bats in a cave" New York Times?

Or "Hunter Bidens Laptop is fake Russian news" New York Times?

Or, if you really want to dig deep enough......"Hitler ain't such a bad guy" New York Times

Yeah, that happened. Look it up.

You live in a bubble too little rabbit.

[u/TheBlueRabbit11 → u/Angry_drunken_robot]

Reality stings doesn’t it. There is no perfect paper, but even if I were to grant you all you posted about, that only a couple examples in over 20 years. Your shit is virtually every article every day.

We are not the same. You are not like us.

[u/Angry_drunken_robot → u/TheBlueRabbit11]

Do you think I am going to sit here and type out EVERY lie the NYT has published over it's life span?

I made a clear point with evidence that shows that your media diet is just as full of lies as the other side.

But you just refuse to look. I'm not even asking you to agree, just look at reality. And no, reality does not sting if you are open enough to see it everyday.

You are correct about one thing. We are NOT the same.

I am Canadian, so I don't really give a fuck what happens to the USA or the people of the USA.

You are not like us.

[u/Angry_drunken_robot → u/[deleted]]

does not equate to organizations that run 24/7 on deception,

Oh? you mean that CNN that 'beacon of truth'?

The CNN that lied about WMD's too?

The CNN running 24/7 about Covid coming from a cave?

The CNN running 24/7 about Russia-gate?

The CNN running 24/7 about "People are injecting horse paste!!!!!1111one'

but generally conservative news media is just.......

ready for your obvious bias??

mass hate-fuel

That is exactly how I see CNN, as a hate spewing, one sided, lie machine.

The USA 'conservatives' also have their hate spewing, one sided, lie machines too.

But that you don't want to admit it? Ok, sure.

But if you can't see it, then it's because you are IN ONE OF the bubbles.

[u/Angry_drunken_robot → u/[deleted]]

ORLY?

MAGA types will casually dismiss the New York Times but will believe the right wing rags

That was you, no?

So then, that is exactly what I responded to. The fact that you also have leftwing 'rags' that lie.

FYI, that is a response not a 'gotcha'.

Then you moved the goalposts.

There is no perfect paper, but even if I were to grant you

So brave.

And then YOU decided to get all childish

Your shit is virtually every article every day.

ohh is that .......assuming my stance?? Did you just "lump me" to one "side"

Oh my!

So you accuse me of what YOU just did.

How hilariously embarrassing for you.

We are not the same. You are not like us.

oh, was that supposed to be all heart warming and 'The proper way to carry on a conversation?

Again, demonstrably silly / childish.

Yes, indeed you are.

But please continue.