Following the identification of the shooter in the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, YouTube deleted several related videos, but they were quickly downloaded and shared on X. This led to an influx of wild claims regarding the shooter’s motivations, with the platform becoming a hub for disinformation. Notable figures, including Elon Musk and the FBI head, propagated various unfounded narratives linking the violence to anti-Christian sentiments, transgender issues, and white supremacy.
Experts criticize X’s current algorithm, which favors engagement over factual accuracy, contributing to the rapid spread of conspiratorial content. Despite warnings from extremism researchers to avoid premature conclusions, X users widely circulated screenshots from an 11-minute video featuring the shooter, showcasing firearms adorned with symbols of extremist ideologies.
Various narratives emerged, particularly among conservative influencers, claiming the shooter’s transgender identity was a key factor in the attack. These narratives were amplified by figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Benny Johnson, though X’s AI chatbot disputed the notion that transgender individuals are disproportionately involved in mass shootings. Additional claims suggested the shooter was motivated by anti-God sentiments and leftist ideologies, as well as anti-Israel sentiments.
Overall, the episode highlights the amplified spread of disinformation and propaganda on X in the wake of significant events, as users and public figures chase engagement over truth.
