patrick.net

Interesting if true. Unfortunately, anyone can make such a post and if proven false, will dilute any actual true events that come out next. That is, a Dem operative could put out something like this, then only after it goes viral put out a debunk. Then use that debunk to discredit anything real about to come out as just "another false rumor."

HeadSet says

then only after it goes viral put out a debunk

That doesn't work though. Once a viral meme is out there, no amount of debunking will stop it.

Take a look at the fraudulent study of HCQ in The Lancet. They were forced to retract it after it was debunked, but probably 80% of Americans still believe that HCQ is somehow dangerous for Wuhan Virus disease (but OK for rheumatism, as always).

That's what the anti-HCQ crowed wanted, and they knew that debunking would have no effect.

That doesn't work though. Once a viral meme is out there, no amount of debunking will stop it.

That depends entirely on whether the viral meme is supported by the left. In your HCQ fraud study example, not only was it viral on the web, it was carried by major news networks and papers. Yet the debunk was not carried by the national press at all. So, very few people saw the de-bunk. If a major Hunter Biden meme goes viral only later to be debunked, that debunking will be national headlines for a week and all will see it. And the national news will use that debunk example to invalidate any further Hunter revelations. "We all know how the Hunter cannibalism story was false, so this new China payoff is just another phony smear."