The reposts and expressions of shock from public figures followed quickly after a user on the social platform X who uses a pseudonym claimed that a government website had revealed “skyrocketing” rates of voters registering without a photo ID in three states this year — two of them crucial to the presidential contest.

“Extremely concerning,” X owner Elon Musk replied twice to the post this past week.

“Are migrants registering to vote using SSN?” Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ally of former President Donald Trump, asked on Instagram, using the acronym for Social Security number.

Trump himself posted to his own social platform within hours to ask, “Who are all those voters registering without a Photo ID in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Arizona??? What is going on???”

Yet by the time they tried to correct the record, the false claim had spread widely. In three days, the pseudonymous user’s claim amassed more than 63 million views on X, according to the platform’s metrics. A thorough explanation from Richer attracted a fraction of that, reaching 2.4 million users.

The incident sheds light on how social media accounts that shield the identities of the people or groups behind them through clever slogans and cartoon avatars have come to dominate right-wing political discussion online even as they spread false information.

  • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    8 months ago

    You thus can still vote your conscience

    Not if my conscious isn’t ok with voting for a genocide-doer at all

    • lennybird@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Then you risk letting the person who will commit genocide even more.

      How is more genocide better than less genocide for your conscience?

      • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        8 months ago

        Then you risk letting the person who will commit genocide even more.

        Wrong, as I don’t live in a swing state. You know, like the majority of Americans?

        I can safely not vote for either knowing that my state isn’t going to go to Trump. I even personally know 2 people who voted Trump last election who are going third party this time around, so I’m DOUBLE-covrred.

        I just love seeing people online automatically assume people are in swing states (or that the EC doesn’t exist) and try to guilt trip people. It’s hilarious

        • lennybird@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Wait, was it your conscience or is it because you don’t live in a swing-state…? Because you dodged the question:

          How is more genocide better than less genocide for your conscience?

          If you live in a firmly blue state that will vote for Biden, then sure your entire point is moot. But just like how red states have turned blue or at least purple (Arizona), blue or swing-states can turn red (e.g., Ohio). So it might be worth voting just to ensure that trend continues.

          Because Republicans love this messaging you’re now promoting; for it only weakens blue state strongholds as you expect other voters to do the work for you.

          • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            8 months ago

            Can’t read, or unfamiliar with how US elections work?

            Because I don’t live in a swing state my lack of voting for Biden does not support Trump

            So my vote is for no genocide but my state will force it to become some genocide through the EC

            If you want to pretend like a Californian not voting Biden is somehow giving the election to Trump: that’s a you problem and I find it hilarious

            But Republicans love this messaging

            And? Maybe the Dems shouldn’t put forth garbage options then. don’t blame voters for the DNCs inability to do basic shit to win elections.

            • Sybil@lemmy.world
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              8 months ago

              Because I don’t live in a swing state my lack of voting for Biden does not support Trump

              i live in a swing state, and my lack of voting for biden also does not support trump. only a vote for trump supports trump.

            • lennybird@lemmy.world
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              8 months ago

              Maybe you should’ve run for office yourself? Perhaps you should’ve primaried harder? Don’t be upset that the nation chose Joe Biden; welcome to Democracy, or “are you unfamiliar with how US elections work?” How silly.

              I say again: your not voting still runs the risk — even in a blue state — that could possibly turn red in lieu of your own laziness and end up promoting the candidate who commits MORE genocide. How is that better for your conscience, again…? You still have yet to directly answer conveniently.

              Facts:

              • Either Trump or Biden will become President after November.
              • Trump will be worse NOT JUST for Palestinians, but also Ukrainians, and domestic civil liberties including women’s rights.
              • Under a comparartive, logical choice, it stands to reason that to minimize the most damage to other people and our own country that we should probably take the lesser poison.
              • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                8 months ago

                Maybe you should’ve run for office yourself?

                Ah, yes, I’ll just run for an office that requires I be at least 7 years older than I currently am. Then, surely, I’d have better choices. Do you really not get how shit of a point that is?

                Perhaps you should’ve primaried harder?

                As if the DNC was going to not nom Biden, lol

                I say again: your not voting still runs the risk

                Nope. If you actually think CA will turn red then you’re MORE delusional than the MAGAts.

                Approaching MAGA levels of reality denial to try and push the fault onto voters here buddy.

                You still have yet to directly answer conveniently.

                I have, you just want to live in a black and white reality.

                I assume you live somewhere you actually have to vote for Biden and are just incredibly upset that there are people out there who dont have to hold their nose and vote for him. Sucks for you

                • lennybird@lemmy.world
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                  8 months ago

                  If your vote doesn’t matter, why did you start out bitching about choosing not to vote for genocide, only to backpedal when I cornered you in the fact that one candidate would certainly commit MORE genocide? Your argument is senseless and a blatant attempt at moving the goalpost.

                  Regardless I’ve made my case and believe any reasonable bystander to this conversation can see it plainly.

                  If it doesn’t concern you, and you’re not voting anyway, then perhaps just stay in your lane. Meanwhile learn how US elections work. The bIG baD dNc doesn’t just unilaterally appoint Biden lmao.

                  • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                    8 months ago

                    why did you start out bitching about choosing not to vote for genocide

                    Because people like you insist we need to vote no matter what?

                    only to backpedal

                    Never backpedaled, your reading comprehension is trash.

                    when I cornered you in the fact that one candidate would certainly commit MORE genocide

                    You mean when you brought up an irrelevant point? Trump doing more genocide is irrelevant to me as California ain’t gonna give our 55 to him. You’re really struggling with this basic concept.

                    Regardless I’ve made my case and believe any reasonable bystander to this conversation can see it plainly.

                    If it makes you feel better to think that, go ahead.

                    perhaps just stay in your lane

                    The US is my lane, dipshit. Just because you don’t like my choice doesn’t mean it’s not a valid choice. Fuck authoritarian cunts like you.

                    Meanwhile learn how US elections work

                    Repeating my insult to you is weak form. Just because I shorthanded something to “DNC chooses” doesn’t mean they unilaterally do everything. You know that, but want to paint me as a moron so you can feel better about yourself

                    I say again: fuck you and every authoritiarian who wants to try to force a vote on other people.