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Populist Disinformation: Exploring Intersections between Online Populism and Disinformation in the US and the Netherlands

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  • Michael Hameleers

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The discursive construction of a populist divide between the ‘good’ people and ‘corrupt’ elites can conceptually be linked to disinformation. More specifically, (right-wing) populists are not only attributing blame to the political elites, but increasingly vent anti-media sentiments in which the mainstream press is scapegoated for not representing the people. In an era of post-truth relativism, ‘fake news’ is increasingly politicized and used as a label to delegitimize political opponents or the press. To better understand the affinity between disinformation and populism, this article conceptualizes two relationships between these concepts: (1) blame attributions to the dishonest media as part of the corrupt elites that mislead the people; and (2) the expression of populist boundaries in a people-centric, anti-expert, and evidence-free way. The results of a comparative qualitative content analysis in the US and Netherlands indicate that the political leaders Donald Trump and Geert Wilders blame legacy media in populist ways by regarding them as part of the corrupt and lying establishment. Compared to left-wing populist and mainstream politicians, these politicians are the most central players in the discursive construction of populist disinformation. Both politicians bypassed empirical evidence and expert knowledge whilst prioritizing the people’s truth and common sense at the center stage of honesty and reality. These expressions resonated with public opinion on Facebook, although citizens were more likely to frame mis- and disinformation in terms of ideological cleavages. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the role of populist discourse in a post-factual era.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Hameleers, 2020. "Populist Disinformation: Exploring Intersections between Online Populism and Disinformation in the US and the Netherlands," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 146-157.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:8:y:2020:i:1:p:146-157
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    1. Inglehart, Ronald F. & Norris, Pippa, 2016. "Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash," Working Paper Series 16-026, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    2. Margaret Canovan, 1999. "Trust the People! Populism and the Two Faces of Democracy," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 47(1), pages 2-16, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cristine de Clercy, 2020. "On the Intersection of Leadership and Populism in North America and Europe," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 107-110.
    2. Daniel Hinšt, 2021. "Disinformation as Geopolitical Risk for Transatlantic Institutions," International Studies, Libertas International University, vol. 21(2), pages 89-111.
    3. Elena Llorca-Asensi & Alexander Sánchez Díaz & Maria-Elena Fabregat-Cabrera & Raúl Ruiz-Callado, 2021. "“Why Can’t We?” Disinformation and Right to Self-Determination. The Catalan Conflict on Twitter," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Lena De Botton & Raul Ramos & Marta Soler-Gallart & Jordi Suriñach, 2021. "Scientifically Informed Solidarity: Changing Anti-Immigrant Prejudice about Universal Access to Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, April.

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