A new study from British academics has uncovered a systematic pattern of misinformation in Donald Trump’s social media posts, raising fresh questions about the former president’s influence on public discourse. Researchers at the University of Oxford and King’s College London analysed over 10,000 posts from Trump’s official accounts between 2015 and 2024, cross-referencing them with verified fact-checks from independent organisations.
The findings, published in the journal *Political Communication*, show that nearly 40 per cent of Trump’s statements contained false or misleading claims. The pattern, according to the lead author Dr Sarah Jenkins, was not random. “We identified a consistent strategy of repeating disproven narratives, often within hours of a fact-check being published,” she said. “This suggests a coordinated effort to overwhelm the information ecosystem.”
The study highlights specific examples, including claims about election fraud, vaccine safety, and his own legal troubles. In each case, the posts were amplified by bot networks and influential accounts, creating what the researchers call a “cascade of deception”. The data also shows that posts containing misinformation received 60 per cent more engagement than factual ones.
Critics have long accused Trump of weaponising social media to spread disinformation. The new research provides empirical evidence of a deliberate pattern, rather than isolated mistakes. “This is not about gaffes or exaggeration,” said Professor David Miller, a co-author. “It is about the systematic erosion of trust in institutions and facts.”
Trump’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment. However, his campaign has previously dismissed similar studies as “biased attacks from left-wing academics”.
The implications extend beyond American politics. The researchers warn that Trump’s tactics have been adopted by populist leaders globally, from Brazil to the Philippines. “What we see in the data is a blueprint for disinformation,” Dr Jenkins added. “It is a playbook that is being studied and replicated.”
The study comes amid growing concern over the role of social media platforms in amplifying falsehoods. Meta and X (formerly Twitter) have both faced criticism for their handling of political content. The researchers call for more transparency from these companies and for regulators to take a tougher stance.
This is not the first time Trump’s online presence has been scrutinised. In 2021, Twitter permanently suspended his account following the Capitol riot, citing the risk of further incitement. But he has since returned to X under new ownership and launched his own platform, Truth Social.
The Oxford-King’s analysis covers that period too, finding that the pattern of misinformation has persisted. “The medium changes, but the message remains the same,” Professor Miller said.
For now, the report serves as a stark reminder of the power of disinformation in the digital age. As the US presidential election approaches, voters will need to navigate a landscape deliberately designed to deceive.
