Gaslighting America: The Weaponization of Misinformation

How Political Manipulation Acts Like a Mind Virus That Is Dividing a Nation and Undermining Democracy

Gaslighting is more than just psychological manipulation—it functions like a dangerous mind virus, infecting individuals and entire groups, spreading misinformation and doubt like wildfire. When unchecked, this “mental virus” can weave through communities and even nations, creating a ripple effect of confusion, distrust, and division. As more people fall victim, the distorted version of reality becomes harder to combat. Addressing gaslighting is crucial to stopping its spread, much like containing an outbreak before it spirals out of control.

At its core, gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where individuals or groups are made to question their reality, often leading to feelings of confusion, anxiety, or even paranoia. It operates subtly, distorting one’s perception of truth and causing doubt in one’s thoughts and feelings. Whether in personal relationships, workplaces, or society, gaslighting can profoundly undermine self-confidence and reality, leaving lasting scars.

I used to live across the street from a cigar lounge in California, and once or twice a week, I’d go there to work for a few hours. There was a core group of retired guys who were regulars—a friendly bunch, but as soon as that BREAKING FOX NEWS sound started going off on all of their phones, or a football game ended and they switched the channel to Fox News, they would instantly become infuriated by some hyper-sensationalized “news” stories. I can’t tell you how many times I walked in and found them in a heated discussion about transgender bathrooms or some trans athlete winning a competition. It wasn’t like they were debating someone on the other side either—they were all Fox News guys. It was like an echo chamber of outrage whenever Fox News was on. That was always my cue to put in my earbuds, go to my favorite jazz playlist, and get to work. Hours later, when I’d take my earbuds out to say goodbye, they’d still be fuming over the same absurd Fox News stories.

I took notice as these polarizing issues were beaten into their heads like a drum, hour after hour until it was all they could talk about. Even though these were successful, retired men, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for them. They looked incredibly foolish, glued to the TV, wasting countless hours of their lives, fixated on negative, sensationalized “issues” that would never amount to anything other than creating a negative mindset and fostering hatred for those who didn’t align with them politically.

Most of these guys have shared stories about how they no longer speak to their left-leaning family members because they despise their political views. Many also mentioned how they no longer attend holiday parties with the family for the same reason. Between Fox News and Donald Trump, who consistently use gaslighting techniques to villainize the left, these men went from unconditionally loving their family members to resenting them. I guarantee you these guys will not be thinking about transgender bathrooms on their deathbeds. However, they will almost certainly be wishing they had spent more quality time with the ones they loved. This illustrates how dangerously effective gaslighting can be—not only in dividing families but in creating rifts that span entire nations.

Over time, it became clear to me that they were being completely gaslit, manipulated into outrage over issues that had little relevance to their own lives, all while missing the bigger picture. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch raked in millions while pumping brains full of the same toxic topics over and over again.

Fun fact: Rupert Murdoch once owned a major outdoor advertising company in Russia called News Outdoor, which was a dominant player in the country’s billboard industry before he sold it in 2011 amid investigations into his media empire.

Another fun fact: Doing business in Russia often involves having ties with the Kremlin, especially in media and advertising, due to state control over key industries.

This is something worth considering, especially given the long-standing Russian tactics aimed at destabilizing the United States from the inside. Rather than me explaining this, let’s hear it directly from former KGB agent Yuri Bezmenov. In one of his most famous interviews, Bezmenov explains the Soviet “ideological subversion” strategy—a slow and methodical process designed to undermine a nation from within. Here’s what he had to say:

“The main emphasis of the KGB is not in the area of intelligence at all. Only about 15% of time, money, and manpower is spent on espionage as such. The other 85% is a slow process which we call either ideological subversion, active measures, or psychological warfare—what it basically means is to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite the abundance of information, no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country.”

Not only does Putin’s propaganda machine openly express its hatred for the United States and its desire to dismantle it, but it’s also been caught gaslighting Americans through covert propaganda campaigns. A recent indictment revealed that Russia financed a multimillion-dollar influencer operation in the U.S. aimed at bolstering Trump’s political standing and weakening support for Ukraine. Despite Russia openly discussing these tactics and being caught in the act, countless Americans remain entirely unaware of what’s happening—which Russia finds both amusing and advantageous.

Putin’s relentless pursuit of destabilizing democratic nations, particularly the United States, has taken on a new form in the digital age. As a former KGB agent and master manipulator, he has become an expert at gaslighting on a global scale, with hundreds of billions at his disposal to fund these efforts. Russia actively backs influential content creators, politicians, and celebrities who are willing to prioritize personal gain over national interests. Unethical individuals can profit enormously from the Kremlin by amplifying Russian propaganda. This became evident through the recent indictment revealing that Russia paid hundreds of thousands of dollars per video to somewhat influential YouTubers as part of their influence campaign. This reality makes Russia’s influence a persistent and dangerous threat to U.S. democracy.

It’s important to note that this isn’t just a Republican problem—Russia also amplifies divisive narratives on the left. By gaslighting both political sides, they aren’t just sowing discord; they’re prying the country apart, exploiting every fracture in the nation’s unity. Whether it’s stoking fears about social justice movements or inflaming debates on identity politics, their goal is to keep Americans at each other’s throats, distracted from the bigger picture of foreign influence and manipulation.

Russians constantly discussed their wishes for America to break out in a Civil War, and below is a 60-second clip of Russian state media agents discussing how Trump is the “destroyer” of America.

Below is a short video of Russian state media agents openly discussing how they ran an incredibly successful propaganda campaign in the United States, garnering 14 billion views.

Not only are these hostile content creators making fortunes off of our attention, but they’re also doing it at the cost of our mental health. Gaslighting isn’t just about denying the obvious; it’s about pushing absurdities so extreme that they destabilize the very foundation of reality. It convinces people that lies are truth and truth is a lie. These conspiracy theories drag people so far down the rabbit hole that they can no longer distinguish reality from fiction. By promoting outlandish narratives, the gaslighter creates confusion and helplessness, making it harder to discern what’s real. Often, this is paired with divisive rhetoric designed to pit groups against each other, fracturing unity. In doing so, gaslighting doesn’t just distort reality—it polarizes society, fostering chaos and distrust among people who should be standing together to resist manipulation.

When you hear Donald Trump or JD Vance making completely outlandish statements, it would be incredibly naïve to think they are unaware that they are spreading misinformation —it’s a deliberate strategy designed to manipulate public perception and acquire greater control. This tactic, often referred to as “strategic gaslighting,” involves saying things so outrageous that they dominate headlines and distract from substantive issues. By making statements that defy logic or fact, they shift the Overton Window—the range of acceptable public discourse—pushing extreme views into the mainstream. For example, Trump’s repeated claims about election fraud, despite a lack of evidence, were not random; they were intended to sow doubt in the democratic process and rally his base to question the legitimacy of the system. Similarly, JD Vance’s contradictory statements on issues like vaccine mandates confuse the public and create space for misinformation to thrive, weakening trust in institutions. It would be foolish to believe these actions are accidental—gaslighting is a calculated move that power-hungry individuals have been using for decades to consolidate control over nations, a strategy that Vladamir Putin shares with other leaders who want to gain absolute power. 

Gaslighting is also used as a tool to instill fear in the public, manipulating emotions to consolidate control. Fear, in particular, triggers a primal survival mechanism, causing people to rally around a perceived “tribal leader”—in this case, a political figure.

This tactic is evident when figures like Trump make baseless claims, such as accusing Haitian migrants of “destroying” Springfield, Ohio, and eating people's dogs and cats—despite local officials, including the Republican governor, praising the Haitian community for their positive contributions to the local economy and denying claims that Haitians are eating pets. 

JD Vance, meanwhile, has peddled fear about economic decline, warning that progressive policies will lead to widespread economic collapse—despite similar claims being made by Trump in 2020, only for the economy to improve significantly under Joe Biden. This kind of rhetoric fosters anxiety and distrust in the government, but it’s not rooted in fact. In reality, numerous leading economists have shown more favorability toward progressive economic plans, such as those promoted by Kamala Harris, as beneficial for long-term growth and stability. Yet, Trump and his allies continue to deny these findings and promote their own narratives.

In summary, gaslighting is more than just an age-old tactic for power-hungry leaders seeking control over a population—it also functions like a dangerous mind virus, infecting individuals and spreading confusion, distrust, and division. Just as a virus invades the body and weakens its defenses, gaslighting invades the mind, eroding one’s ability to distinguish truth from manipulation. The strategy of “divide and conquer” has long been used by those in power, and gaslighting serves as a modern version of this tactic, which technology amplifies. It creates cognitive dissonance, leading people to question their own reality, doubt objective facts, and even turn against one another. This “mental virus” thrives in environments where fear and uncertainty are rampant, exploiting vulnerabilities to further divide and control populations. If left unchecked, it can erode the very foundations of a functioning society, making it easier for unethical leaders to manipulate, dominate, and ultimately control the masses.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you know someone who has fallen victim to far-left or far-right propaganda, it’s important not to view them as the enemy —understand they are victims of gaslighting. In times like these, we must come together to help one another navigate through the misinformation and manipulation that threaten our way of life. Trust me, the citizens of China and Russia don’t want to be under the control of their authoritarian leaders. Those regimes didn’t come into power through the people’s will—they were part of a broader strategy to amass power, leaving their populations trapped. If we’re not vigilant, the same thing could happen in democratic nations. The only way to protect our freedoms is by staying informed, compassionate, and united against divisive tactics. 

If you want to see what gaslighting looks like, below is a short clip illustrating these tactics.