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A willingness to support Republican President Donald Trump often went hand-in-hand with one's ability to accept somewhat insane conspiracy theories.
That continues to be true even now that Trump has left office.
In the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection—during which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building to stop the certification of Joe Biden's election victory and potentially harm lawmakers and Vice President Pence—some Trump supporters are spreading the rumor one of the rioters was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in disguise.
She posted this and is 100% serious and I haven’t stopped laughing. https://t.co/WezaQTJMfv— Tyler Dinucci (@Tyler Dinucci)1610682249.0
Did Greta Thunberg Disguise Herself as Pro-Trump Rioter? https://t.co/zHxyTSznXN— Greta Thunberg News (@Greta Thunberg News)1611870485.0
The strange conspiracy theory—which never did make much sense—was quickly debunked by Snopes.
Now,if this doesn't let you know they'll say any damn thing,I guess they'll say it was God next This is embarrassin… https://t.co/fFnIN69QFx— #TrumpGOPVirus (@#TrumpGOPVirus)1612026594.0
These idiots continue to prove their insanity! #MAGAidiots https://t.co/GJUMk9Jh8L— Jim Doyle 🇮🇪🇺🇲 (@Jim Doyle 🇮🇪🇺🇲)1612040588.0
@Independent They look absolutely nothing alike. She looks like a typical young girl. He looks like a knock off garden gnome— BRK (@BRK)1612134477.0
The conspiracy theorists were mocked by just about everyone else on Twitter.
@Independent Resemblance is uncanny!— 🏆🏆🏆*BILAL*🏆🏆🏆 (@🏆🏆🏆*BILAL*🏆🏆🏆)1612134445.0
@Independent Have they all truly ingested some type of insanity solution? There is no end to this lunacy. I can onl… https://t.co/4ZEfJFbyVJ— Ana L. @Chitter 🇨🇦 (@Ana L. @Chitter 🇨🇦)1612134826.0
Many people suggested other, similarly believable conspiracy theories.
@Independent Greta was definitely there. I saw her slide down a Jewish space laser into the thick of things on Capi… https://t.co/rzheOeTXOe— I'm on Team Democracy 🌊😷 (@I'm on Team Democracy 🌊😷)1612003371.0
@Independent Oh yea I saw her. She arrived by sail boat and was seen at the front of the riots smashing windows with a floret of broccoli.— Adam Hogarth (@Adam Hogarth)1612002042.0
@Independent https://t.co/gpLpII3zMr— beat_boutique (@beat_boutique)1612002575.0
The depth of misinformation in the United States is a truly daunting hurdle.
@Independent @RealNoraC 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣. Was JFK jr there too?— Jayne 🎶😍☘️👠😎🎶😷 🆘 🇺🇸🏡 💻📚🍸 (@Jayne 🎶😍☘️👠😎🎶😷 🆘 🇺🇸🏡 💻📚🍸)1612000171.0
@Independent @Nikephorius The staggering ignorance of Trump supporters continues.....— June Stewart (@June Stewart)1612000016.0
Snopes wrote of the conspiracy theory:
"Despite the fact that the person photographed holding the Trump flag and the teenage activist had notable differences in their facial shapes and structures, we looked for any evidence to support the claim that Thunberg was a member of the crowd. We found none."
"For argument's sake, had she dressed up as a Trump supporter and participated in the siege to try to overthrow Biden's presidential win (for whatever reason), the discovery would not likely emerge first as an uncredited meme, but rather as a major news story from a reputable source, considering Thunberg's prominence."
#MakeAmericaGretaAgain https://t.co/vw0UeMV6ES— Gareth A Williams (@Gareth A Williams)1612034211.0
They’re spreading conspiracy theories about their own conspiracy theorists 😂 Trump supporters are bizarrely trying… https://t.co/AaTsm8Q6zv— 🌙Mindy🌙 (@🌙Mindy🌙)1612000146.0
Once-fringe conspiracy theories were elevated to the mainstream during Trump's Presidency due to his disregard for facts and it will likely take significant time and effort to repair the public's perception of reality.