Influence on Specific Conspiracy Theories
Statistics showing how social media, news reports, and celebrity influence drive conspiracy theories about the Illuminati, COVID-19, chemtrails, aliens, 5G technology, and the New World Order.
| Conspiracy | Factor | Statistic | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Social Media | 59% of U.S. adults | 59% encountered COVID-19 conspiracies (e.g., virus as a bioweapon) on social media, with 20% believing at least one, amplified by algorithms on Facebook and X. | Brennen, J. Scott, et al. “Types, Sources, and Claims of COVID-19 Misinformation.” Reuters Institute, 7 Apr. 2020. |
| Chemtrails | Social Media | 70% of X posts | 70% of X posts about chemtrails during Hurricane Milton (2024) were from verified accounts, driving 80% of engagement on government weather control conspiracies. | Spring, Marianna. “How Hurricane Milton and Helene Conspiracy Theories Took Over Social Media.” BBC, 10 Oct. 2024. |
| New World Order | Social Media | 25% of TikTok videos | 25% of TikTok videos tagged #NewWorldOrder in 2021 promoted conspiracies, reaching over 100 million views, driven by algorithmic boosts. | Center for Countering Digital Hate. “The Disinformation Dozen: Why Platforms Must Act on Twelve Leading Online Anti-Vaxxers.” Center for Countering Digital Hate, 24 Mar. 2021. |
| Aliens | News Reports | 30% of U.S. adults | 30% who saw 2023 UAP hearing news believed in government alien cover-ups, influenced by cable news coverage of congressional testimony. | YouGov. “UAP Hearings and Public Belief in Alien Cover-Ups.” YouGov, 28 July 2023. |
| 5G Technology | News Reports | 40% of UK adults | 40% exposed to 2020 news reports linking 5G to COVID-19 expressed 5G safety skepticism, due to sensationalist framing even in debunking stories. | Ofcom. “Online Harms and Misinformation: 5G and COVID-19.” Ofcom, 10 June 2020. |
| Chemtrails | Celebrity Influence | 15% of viewers | Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2024 X post on chemtrails received 5.2 million views, with 15% of viewers sharing related government spraying conspiracies. | Newsweek. “What RFK Jr Has Said About Chemtrails Conspiracy Theory.” Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2024. |
| Illuminati | Celebrity Influence | 10% of U.S. teens | 10% of teens in 2023 said celebrity posts (e.g., Beyoncé at Super Bowl) influenced Illuminati beliefs, driven by Instagram and TikTok. | Common Sense Media. “Teens and Social Media: Conspiracy Theory Trends.” Common Sense Media, 15 Aug. 2023. |