Pizzagate
Fake restaurant scandal
Pizzagate is a debunked conspiracy theory from 2016 alleging that a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant was the center of a child trafficking ring connected to Democratic political figures.
The theory spread through social media and led to a real-world shooting incident at the restaurant.
It remains a touchstone example of how online misinformation can inspire dangerous action.
Deliberate deception for effect
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- debunkedExposed as fraudulent
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
alt-right · QAnon · 4chan · Reddit · deep state · echo chamber · viral · memes
- emailsDigital written messages
- WikileaksMisspelled transparency organization
- allegationsUnproven formal claims
- accusationsClaims of fault
denials · investigation · media frenzy · tabloid · notoriety · infamy · uproar · backlash
Deliberately untrue statement
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
canard · invention · manipulation · distortion · clickbait · sensationalism · grifters · bad actors
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- debunkedExposed as fraudulent
fake news · alt-right · QAnon · 4chan · Reddit · deep state · echo chamber · viral · memes · propaganda
Clinton
- emailsDigital written messages
- WikileaksMisspelled transparency organization
- allegationsUnproven formal claims
accusations · denials · investigation · media frenzy · tabloid · notoriety · infamy · uproar · backlash · defamation
fabrication
Deliberately untrue statement
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
rumor · canard · invention · manipulation · distortion · clickbait · sensationalism · grifters · bad actors · trolls
- -Gate ScandalsBridgegate, Deflategate, Climategate, Russiagate, Dieselgate
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
Pizzagatefact-checking
Confirming accuracy of claims
scientific method · empiricism · evidence-based reasoning · critical thinking · skepticism
gate, pizza, gateway, gates, gated, gatekeeper, pizzeria, pizzas, Watergate