"The death of Joseph Stalin took days to become public and remains fodder for conspiracy theories. The death of Donald Trump has spawned countless tweets, TikToks and memes long before it even happens. How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead? asked Fox News's Peter Doocy with tongue in cheek. Did you see that? No, Trump responded flatly on Tuesday as senators and administration officials gathered around him in the Oval Office shifted their weight and smiled."
"The speculation that had swirled on social media over the weekend did not reveal much about the health of Trump who, at 79, is the oldest person ever to assume the US presidency. But it did offer an insight into an online culture ripe with conspiracy theories, liberal fantasies about Trump's premature demise and an attention economy in which he has created an expectation that he will all but livestream his presidency 24/7."
Social media circulated widespread rumors that Donald Trump had died after he was unseen for a day or two. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump mockingly how he found out he was dead; Trump responded "Did you see that? No." The speculation revealed an online culture filled with conspiracy theories, liberal fantasies of Trump's premature demise and an attention economy that expects constant presidential visibility. Political scientists noted that the hunger for Trump's absence made otherwise skeptical observers susceptible to misinformation. Trump, 79, is the oldest US president and has limited public medical transparency. The White House said he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Observers pointed to visible bruising on his right hand and ankle swelling.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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