Can we learn to tell good knowledge from bad? Elon Musk’s “conversation” with Trump continued both men’s war on fact-checking. Here are some tips for separating facts from fiction.
Trump spouts stream of untruths on X
Hype: Donald Trump claimed that “60 million or something” were listening to his triumphal return to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday in a conversation with Elon Musk. Only 1.1 million were listening at that moment. Musk did not correct him. Glossary
Charles Dickens - The Victorian novelist is credited with inventing Christmas as we know it today through the warm descriptions of it in his books.
Elon Musk - A South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.
X - A social media network, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk.
Love-in - When two people give each other lots of praise, especially undeserved praise.
Endorsed - A public statement or action showing that you support somebody/something.
Detroit - The largest city in the US state of Michigan.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Critical thinking - Analysing available facts, evidence and arguments to form a reasonable judgement.
Biased - Unfairly showing dislike or like.
Context - The circumstances around an event that mean it can be fully understood.
Propagandists - A person who disseminates propaganda.