Chaos on social media platforms after Trump shooting is a mess of their own making

The social media industry’s recent response to conspiracy theories about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump reflects a shift away from actively policing online speech. This is in contrast to their swift actions after the attack on the US Capitol in 2021. Social media platforms are now allowing false claims about the incident to circulate, including baseless speculations that the incident was staged or orchestrated by the government. The lack of action from major social media platforms raises concerns about the spread of misinformation in the upcoming election and its aftermath. The article discusses factors contributing to the toxic information environment, including Elon Musk’s impact on Twitter, layoffs in trust and safety teams, and changes in platform policies. The article also highlights the challenges of managing a fast-moving information ecosystem and the role of social media in shaping different realities and narratives.