9 Ways to Respond to Political Misinformation

Robert Novoski

IIt’s been an intense election season, from candidate exits, meme-generating debates, to assassination attempts. And that’s just taking those things into account has done these things happened—not far-fetched ones but that attracted widespread attention, such as fake celebrity endorsements, false claims about Haitian immigrants eating domestic animals, and conspiracy theories about the government’s response to the hurricane.

It’s anyone’s guess what else will happen as November 5 approaches. But misinformation will inevitably continue to spread—and you may encounter it in conversations with friends or family members. It would be helpful if you had a plan for how to respond. “Most people who spread misinformation do so unintentionally—they hear something they believe,” says Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of the podcast Pod Save America. “If you believe they really want to know the truth, you at least want to give them a chance to find out [understand] correct information and stop spreading misinformation or spreading conspiracy theories.”

Of course, not everyone is willing to rethink their perspective. Pfeiffer speaks from personal experience: She was an adviser to Barack Obama when misinformation about the former president’s birth certificate was at its peak. Many people are so attached to their ideology that they don’t care about the facts, he said, so that their personal beliefs overshadow any evidence to the contrary. “They are motivated to believe what they believe, and they will recreate the world to fit their beliefs,” he said. But there are also those who—“your skeptical, less ideological cousins”—are more open to reason.

So, we asked experts what they had to say the next time you come across misinformation.

“Do you mind telling me where you heard it?”

Your first step when someone tells you something is false or misleading should ask where they heard it—which says a lot about the type of source they rely on. “Is that something they read somewhere? Was it something someone else told them?” Pfeiffer asked. Depending on what they say, it might be helpful to explain that it’s important to check additional sources to get the full picture—or ask them how they concluded that the claim is true, which encourages critical thinking without directly challenging their beliefs.

Read more: How to Survive Election Season Without Losing Your Mind

Remember that tone and delivery are key, Pfeiffer adds. “Approach this from a perspective of grace,” he emphasized. “One mistake many people make is underestimating people who convey misinformation. If you treat them as naive or stupid, or look down on them,” you won’t get any results.

“I heard the football coach say ____. Do you think their perspective is worth considering?”

If you want to give someone counterinformation, it should come from a source they trust, Pfeiffer says. Keep in mind that the source may be different from the source you visited; not everyone, for example, is interested in traditional media. In these cases, it’s often more effective to direct them to people in their community or network who are “very influential, like teachers, coaches or firefighters,” Pfeiffer said. Slamming their source of choice will only backfire. “The public is very skeptical of information, so if they put their faith in something, they’ve crossed a pretty big cliff,” he added. “Just saying, ‘Well, that news outlet is full of lies’ or ‘That person is full of lies’ is insulting to their judgment.”

“I noticed that different media sources focused on different information. Mine seems to focus on ___. What attracts you to your sources?”

There are many narratives regarding the 2024 presidential election—and the narrative you hear most depends on who and what you pay attention to. Asking your friends what interests them about the sources they trust can open up deeper conversations about how various media outlets approach coverage. “You can acknowledge that your sources are always giving you a certain point of view, too,” says Tania Israel, professor of counseling psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the book Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide. “This doesn’t mean the media is biased—it’s recognizing that they will take a particular point of view, and it helps us be more informed consumers when we can recognize that point of view.”

“What worries you most about it?”

If someone tells you something you know isn’t true, respond by saying you want to know what the information means to them, Israel suggests. Perhaps, for example, they have heard that immigrant children were separated from their parents at the border and then sold into slavery. If you know this is a concern for them, you can tailor your follow-up to the following: “I also really care about kids, and I think it’s really important that we keep them safe.” This is an effective way to find common ground, build trust, and learn more about their thought processes, Israel says. “We’re not saying it’s true, and we’re not saying it’s not true,” he said. “We ask more about the person—it’s about the underlying meanings and concerns that misinformation impacts them.”

Read more: How to Stop Checking Your Phone Every 10 Seconds

“Don’t forget, these stories involve real people with real lives.”

Use this response if the conversation turns to dehumanizing political rhetoric, such as about immigration, social justice or other polarizing issues, suggests Sophia Fifner, president and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club of Ohio, a civic engagement group that holds weekly town hall-style events. forum. “This phrase shifts the focus back to our common humanity,” he said. “It’s a reminder that behind every story, there is an affected individual.” Speaking from the heart, Fifner urged: “It’s not just about the facts. It’s about connecting with the person you’re talking to on an emotional level—and cultivating empathy.”

“Before we get into it, can we take a step back and think about who benefits from this narrative?”

Fifner finds that this approach is effective when someone shares misinformation that is divisive or inflammatory—in other words, intended to provoke, not inform. “You encourage them to consider the motives behind the information,” he said. “This is a subtle way to invite them to question the intent of sources they trust, leading to more critical understanding.” Keep it casual and conversational, he advises; the goal is to spark curiosity, not accuse or create defensiveness. “It’s about planting seeds of doubt that encourage deeper thinking,” he said.

“Can I look into this and share what I found? Maybe we can compare notes.”

Try these responses with close friends and family members, suggests Justin Jones-Fosu, author I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World. This tends to work better than outright saying they’re wrong, which will inevitably trigger defensiveness. Additionally, it encourages more research, which may help them reconsider their information sources. “By framing it as a team effort,” he said, “you create a safer environment for dialogue.”

Read more: Why Gut Health Problems Are More Common in Women

“With so many fake videos and images circulating online, I start asking more questions before I accept something as real. Do you know where it comes from?”

Digital fraud has become a theme of the 2024 election season. It’s difficult to tell which images are real and which are generated by AI—and it’s a way to highlight the prevalence of deepfakes without accusing others of naivety or bad intentions, Jones-Fosu says: “It raises a little doubt, encourage the person to think more critically without feeling embarrassed.” By asking for the source, he adds, you begin the shift from passive consumption to active evaluation.

“I’ve definitely been in situations where I believed something that turned out not to be true, so I really understand that.”

Whatever exact words you use, remember that, most of the time, people are not spreading misinformation maliciously—which is why a compassionate approach is so important. Jones-Fosu sometimes opens conversations like this: “I know you probably don’t mean to spread misinformation, but I’ve done my research, and here’s what I found.” That phrasing assumes good intentions, she says, and focuses on the facts rather than casting blame . Sharing personal stories, such as when you were fooled by a fake image while browsing Facebook, can also help reduce tension. “Vulnerability shows empathy,” he says, “and makes it more likely that others affected will listen to what you have to say.”

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