Trump won?

Trump won.

That’s what 50% of Republican voters say. They believe Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stole the election with massive vote fraud and mysterious ballot dumps.

They believe this despite no evidence, a record presidential vote for Biden-Harris, a victory margin now over six million votes, and an Electoral College tally of 306-232, the same as Trump’s win in 2016.

Make no mistake. Trump is attempting a coup, as ham-handed as it appears. GOP officials are abetting it through their silence or openly aiding it with their actions. At the very least, a significant section of the American people will believe the Biden administration is illegitimate, hampering his ability to govern. And future would-be autocrats now have a precedent.

This is a dangerous moment. Like many other media, People’s World is fighting this Trump coup and exposing the lies propelling it, including the effort to disenfranchise African American voters in states won by Biden. Please donate to make sure Trump leaves the White House on January 20.

Many think the “stolen election” is part of the “deep state” and global Jewish conspiracy against Trump. They think COVID-19 is a hoax to bring Trump down, developed and spread by the Communist Party of China. They believe the climate crisis is fake, and radical socialists and communists control Biden, Harris, and the Democrats.

These lies don’t come out of thin air. The real “fake news,” massive disinformation, is manufactured and pushed by a vast right-wing propaganda ecosystem 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outlets like Fox News, Newsmax, Infowars, OAN, Sinclair Broadcasting, Breitbart, and others are indoctrinating tens of millions of Americans with an alternative reality.

Lies are also pushed by fascist internet chat rooms and the QAnon conspiracy sites and eventually migrate to right-wing propaganda outlets, through big tech social media, and end up in Trump’s own Twitter feed.

This massive disinformation threatens democracy. And it is downright dangerous when fused with an authoritarian and fascist-aligned party like the GOP.

For democracy to survive, the truth must live. And that’s why People’s World is essential. Throughout the Trump era and before, People’s World has worked tirelessly to counter right-wing and corporate lies and hate, disinformation, and conspiracy theories.

People’s World is a fighter in the battle of ideas. We have been telling the truth about working people’s lives and giving voice to the struggles for racial and gender equality, worker’s rights, a living wage, immigration with a path to citizenship, a sustainable ecology, universal health care, and free education.

And the truth is People’s World will not exist without you. The pandemic and economic crisis have impacted every organization, and People’s World is no exception. Without your help, we are in danger of retreating from our excellent reportage and a new podcast, Beyond the Page.

Times are hard. We are a “small donor” publication, and every donation helps. Please dig a little deeper with $10, $25, $50, or $100 to ensure our truth-telling mission continues.

Because truth crushed to earth will rise again, and People’s World will ensure it takes flight.

Sincerely,

John Bachtell

People’s World

Long View Publishing