Has reality died? There is less than a month to go until the US election. Meanwhile Donald Trump's supporters are spreading wild lies about the weather.
After the hurricane: America goes mad
Has reality died? There is less than a month to go until the US election. Meanwhile Donald Trump's supporters are spreading wild lies about the weather.
It has been a stormy month in America. Last week, HurricaneA storm with violent winds that move in a circular direction. Milton struck the states of Florida and Georgia. It brought tornadoesA strong, dangerous wind that spins very quickly in a funnel and reaches down to the ground. It can destroy things that it passes over. and flooding. At least 16 people are known to have died. It came two weeks after Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 230 people.
Now misinformationIncorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies. and false claimsSays that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it. have spread across social media. Many were shared by supporters of Donald TrumpAn American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021., who hopes to be voted in as American presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. again in less than a month's time.
Some shared videos made by artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence, or "AI," is the ability for a computer to think and learn. With AI, computers can perform tasks that are typically done by people, including processing language, problem-solving, and learning. as if they were real.
One well-known conspiracy theoristA person who believes that some secret but influential organisation is responsible for a particular event or phenomenon. , Alex Jones, called the hurricanes "weather weapons" that US leaders had set on their own people.
Even Donald Trump himself shared false claims. He said that money that should be used to help hurricane victims had been spent on illegal immigrantsPeople who have moved to a country without the visas or permissions they need. instead.
Some say this is proofSomething that shows something else is true. that reality has died in the world's most powerful democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.. Millions of Americans seem to no longer care if something is real or not.
But others say we should not jump to too many judgements. There are still many who know what is true and what is real.
Has reality died?
Yes! We can talk about the importance of truth and even make new laws to stop it. But social media is too powerful. Lies spread too quickly online. Reality is dead.
No! Millions of people still know the difference between facts and lies. False claims get lots of attention, but not many people believe them.
Hurricane - A storm with violent winds that move in a circular direction.
Tornadoes - A strong, dangerous wind that spins very quickly in a funnel and reaches down to the ground. It can destroy things that it passes over.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Claims - Says that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it.
Donald Trump - An American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Artificial Intelligence - Artificial intelligence, or "AI," is the ability for a computer to think and learn. With AI, computers can perform tasks that are typically done by people, including processing language, problem-solving, and learning.
Conspiracy theorist - A person who believes that some secret but influential organisation is responsible for a particular event or phenomenon.
Illegal immigrants - People who have moved to a country without the visas or permissions they need.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
After the hurricane: America goes mad

Glossary
Hurricane - A storm with violent winds that move in a circular direction.
Tornadoes - A strong, dangerous wind that spins very quickly in a funnel and reaches down to the ground. It can destroy things that it passes over.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Claims - Says that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it.
Donald Trump - An American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Artificial Intelligence - Artificial intelligence, or “AI,” is the ability for a computer to think and learn. With AI, computers can perform tasks that are typically done by people, including processing language, problem-solving, and learning.
Conspiracy theorist - A person who believes that some secret but influential organisation is responsible for a particular event or phenomenon.
Illegal immigrants - People who have moved to a country without the visas or permissions they need.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.