Kate Starbird
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katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird
@katestarbird.bsky.social
91K followers 3K following 4.3K posts

Researcher of online rumors & disinformation. Former basketball player. Prof at University of Washington, HCDE. Co-founder of the UW Center for an Informed Public. Personal account: Views may not reflect those of my employer. .. more

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Catherine Evelyn Starbird is an American computer scientist and former women's professional basketball player.

Source: Wikipedia
Communication & Media Studies 30%
Sociology 18%
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katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · Mar 27
On Feb 24, I gave a lecture at UW explaining what my team's decade-plus research on online rumors during crises reveals about the right wing "bullshit machine." Fittingly, a lightning strike impacted the original audio. Here's a fixed version w/ the full transcript: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjiG...
A Spotlight on Rumors
YouTube video by UW (University of Washington)
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Kate Starbird

brennancenter.org
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 2h
A confidential agreement provides yet more evidence of the administration’s campaign to interfere with upcoming elections. bit.ly/46tX4nd
“Confidential” Agreements Show Trump Administration’s Plans for States’ Voter Data 
At least 10 states have handed over their full voter files to the Justice Department.
www.brennancenter.org

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 12h
SeaHAWKS!

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
Trump and the GOP again trying to mobilize in top of their election fraud lies to create policies that make it harder to vote — which intentionally suppresses the vote certain groups, including people who have fewer resources (time, money, transportation) to jump through added hoops.
chadbourn.bsky.social Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 1d
Fixing the Midterms is now the main driver for Trump.
Donald J. Trump @reaDonaldTrump America's Elections are Rigged, Stolen, and a Laughingstock all over the World. We are either going to fix them, or we won't have a Country any longer. I am asking all Republicans to fight for the following: SAVE AMERICA ACT! 1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW VOTER ID (IDENTIFICATION!). 2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP TO REGISTER FOR VOTING. 3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!).

Reposted by Kate Starbird

chadbourn.bsky.social
Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 1d
Fixing the Midterms is now the main driver for Trump.
Donald J. Trump @reaDonaldTrump America's Elections are Rigged, Stolen, and a Laughingstock all over the World. We are either going to fix them, or we won't have a Country any longer. I am asking all Republicans to fight for the following: SAVE AMERICA ACT! 1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW VOTER ID (IDENTIFICATION!). 2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP TO REGISTER FOR VOTING. 3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!).

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
Just catching the Ed Martin news. Did this factor in? bsky.app/profile/jenn...
jennycohn.bsky.social Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 1d
19/ Ed Martin is a good friend of Roger Stone. He posted an exclamation point above a post stating “It’s gonna be wild when Maduro tries to plead to lesser charges by proffering evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.” h/t @annabower.bsky.social

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
Not to mention the lag… they could post claims and we had to reserve a slot to go back and look at the transcripts (several days later the time we actually tried this). They also released content before telling my lawyers, which was apparently not how things used to work.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
My lawyers could reserve time to go visit the transcripts, but could only take hand written notes. And the cost of repeated visits was … prohibitive.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
I’m doing this in a markedly personal space. On my weekends. In part so I can write what I want to say, because we know “authenticity” is the quality signal for most folks, and a lot of editing takes that out.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
I’m going to keep it in both places. I need to reach people who won’t see it if I’m just posting to BlueSky and Medium. But I recognize that folks here don’t want to follow me to Substack, for good reason. So I’m trying to post everything to Medium too.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
They are only released if/when committee chooses. Interviewee doesn’t even get a copy. In my case, they ran an “interim report” full of bullshit that was refuted in my testimony, but we didn’t have a copy of that testimony until years later when Jordan published it.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
For those who don't want to follow a link to Substack, I also posted to my newly resurrected Medium account: medium.com/@katestarbir...
Effective outrage: Defusing and redirecting threats of “ICE at the polls!”
This past Tuesday (February 3), rightwing political operative and former White House strategist Steve Bannon made a provocative statement…
medium.com

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d
I wrote this thread up into an article and revived my old Medium account to host: medium.com/@katestarbir...

I explain how Bannon's comments of "ICE surrounding polls" are a strategic attempt to exploit our outrage to advance his goals of voter suppression — and how we can redirect that attack.

Reposted by Kate Starbird

noupside.bsky.social
Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 1d
When the cEnSorShiP indusTriaL cOmplEx hearings were happening I offered to testify in public only—if there was a mass cabal why didn’t Rs want accountability?! Why keep only calling liars like Shellenberger and Taibbi as witnesses w/backroom interrogations for perps?

The answer will shock you…
Bill Clinton @BillClinton - 33m I have called for the full release of the Epstein files. I have provided a sworn statement of what I know. And just this week, I've agreed to appear in person before the committee. But it's still not enough for Republicans on the House Oversight Committee. Bill Clinton @BillClinton + 33m Now, Chairman Comer says he wants cameras, but only behind closed doors. Who benefits from this arrangement? It's not Epstein's victims, who deserve justice. Not the public, who deserve the truth. It serves only partisan interests. This is not fact-finding, it's pure politics. Bill Clinton @BillClinton I will not sit idly as they use me as a prop in a closed-door kangaroo court by a Republican Party running scared. If they want answers, let's stop the games & do this the right way: in a public hearing, where the American people can see for themselves what this is really about.

Reposted by Kate Starbird

jennycohn.bsky.social
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 1d
19/ Ed Martin is a good friend of Roger Stone. He posted an exclamation point above a post stating “It’s gonna be wild when Maduro tries to plead to lesser charges by proffering evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.” h/t @annabower.bsky.social

Reposted by Kate Starbird, Christina Pagel

protectdemocracy.org
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 1d
NEW: We know the administration will try to interfere with the 2026 elections by any means necessary. We cover the 3-pronged plan the admin is aiming at the midterms and our power to defeat it. Read our latest briefing here: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/trumps-elections-chimera
Trump’s elections Chimera
The plan to subvert 2026 is already underway
www.ifyoucankeepit.org

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 3d
Ties to conspiracy myths about voting machines and voting software. The theories/myth were already there in 2020. Now they’ve found their villain.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 3d
It may not be high probability, but it does seem the Trump admin is flirting with such a “revelation” and they can map it (roughly) to existing 2020 conspiracy theories. They’d probably need more than just the confession (for their purpose), so it’s possible they’re looking for more “evidence.”

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 3d
Yes. The folks who study election rumors and conspiracy theories are worried that a forced (and false) confession by Maduro (of 2020 election fraud) is a real possibility, and we’ve already seen some (wink, wink) foreshadowing of such a move.
joncooper-us.bsky.social Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 3d
Sadly, this actually sounds totally possible.

Reposted by Kate Starbird

joncooper-us.bsky.social
Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 3d
Sadly, this actually sounds totally possible.

Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Steve Peers, David R. Miller , and 2 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d
Trump on Alex Pretti and Renee Good: "He was not an angel and she was not an angel. You know, you look at some tapes."

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
I'm 100% with this! And this is the right message and approach.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Perhaps the most sophisticated strategy is to capture the attention and outrage, but shift the frame to encourage voting plans, early voting, and fighting back (via voting) against illegal federal interference in democracy.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Also, love the comments here about folks not being intimidated and even more motivated to vote. That’s also a good message. Especially if it comes with social support … going to the polls with a friend or group.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Another always-good recommendation is to encourage people who are concerned to vote early and/or by mail (if those options are available) to reduce both real and perceived risk.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Bannon (and his buddies) are using an informational strategy called reflexive control that intentionally exploits the reaction of his adversaries (on the left) to inflict damage on their own side. Don't become an unwitting agent in their information operation.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Third, journalists, non-profits, social media influencers, and everyday people need to be VERY discerning and careful about not amplifying unsubstantiated rumors about ICE or other law enforcement at or near the polls, because false rumors (even if well-meaning) WILL suppress the vote.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Second, the legal election observers (that already part of the process) need to be trained to also document illegal intimidation near the polls, & there needs to be a mechanism for individuals and communities who are disenfranchised by any of these activities to RAPIDLY connect to legal assistance.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
First, local and state govts need to do everything in their power to ensure that people can vote safely, without fear of intimidation. Simultaneously (to the extent that it's true) they need to proactively communicate to voters that they will be safe & protected while exercising their right to vote.

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
This rhetoric puts Democrats (and anyone who cares about democracy) in a bind. There is legitimate outrage, but by amplifying the threat, we assist in its purpose of intimidating voters. So, how do we address this attack on democracy?

Proponents of democracy will need to do several things at once:

katestarbird.bsky.social
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 4d
Bannon knows that deploying ICE to the polls constitutes illegal voter intimidation. So why is he encouraging Trump to break the law? Because he also knows this threat will work to suppress votes even if federal agents never get anywhere near the polls. The fear of ICE is enough to keep people home.