A misleading tweet falsely claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris had selected Gary Gensler as the next Treasury Secretary recently gained traction on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Despite the claim being debunked, the fake news was widely circulated by several prominent crypto news outlets, raising serious concerns about the spread of misinformation on the platform.
Misinformation on X Gains Traction
The tweet, which lacked any credible sourcing, quickly went viral on X, highlighting the platform’s ongoing struggle with misinformation. Although fact-checkers promptly debunked the story, noting that no such appointment had been made, the false claim continued to circulate. This incident underscores the ease with which misinformation can gain traction on social media, especially when it targets high-profile political figures like Kamala Harris.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Kamala Harris is considering Gary Gensler as Treasury Secretary if elected President, according to senate sources. pic.twitter.com/C54Jwt98of
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) August 19, 2024
Crypto News Outlets Share Debunked Story
Several crypto news outlets were among those that spread the false story, even after it had been debunked. The persistence in sharing misinformation has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many questioning the credibility of these outlets and the responsibility of X in curbing the spread of fake news.
OK, multiple Dems contacted me to say the “Gensler as Treasury Secretary” rumor is false. One thinks the source of the rumor is Gensler himself — (thinks he planted it just to mess with all of us…that sounds about right TBH)🤷‍♀️ https://t.co/nTRwq1Gafu
— Caitlin Long 🔑⚡️🟠(@CaitlinLong_) August 19, 2024
Impact on X’s Credibility and Political Discourse
The spread of this fake news has further damaged X’s credibility, particularly in political discourse. Some speculate that the platform’s rapid dissemination of anti-Harris content is linked to the ownership of Elon Musk, a known supporter of former President Trump. This incident comes at a time when Harris is leading Trump in recent polls, emphasizing the need for truth in political reporting.
As misinformation continues to plague social media platforms, this event highlights the critical importance of fact-checking and responsible reporting, especially in politically charged environments. Supporting political candidates with accurate information, rather than falsehoods, is essential to maintaining the integrity of public discourse.
