Conspiracy Theories Erupt as Trump Claims 2024 Election Victory

After Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 US presidential election, various conspiracy theories regarding alleged 'missing votes' began to dominate discussions on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. These theories emerged shortly after the election was called early Wednesday morning, with posts peaking at around 94,000 per hour by noon Eastern time. Several users posted claims of 20 million 'missing votes,' despite explanations indicating that the vote counting was still ongoing in several states, notably California. In contrast to the 2020 election denial movement, which was fueled by Trump's assertions of a rigged election, the current claims have not seen any endorsement from Trump himself. Although some figures from the right-wing media have seized upon these narratives to bolster their previous claims about the 2020 election, the overall reaction appears fragmented. The surge in conspiracy theories reflects a growing pattern of distrust in electoral processes and platforms. It is indicative of a broader trend where significant political events precipitate a wave of speculative discourse fueled by social media engagement, particularly on X. This pattern raises concerns about the impact of misinformation in shaping public perception of electoral integrity. With individual claims spreading rapidly, it reveals the necessity for vigilance concerning the spread of unfounded assertions in political contexts.