Capital Public Radio: Politifact California Podcast

By Chris NicholsMisinformation played a crucial role in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which took place six months ago this week. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols breaks down the extent to which false claims influenced those who took part in the riot. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On what PolitiFact journalists in Washington, D.C. uncovered about the insurrection In a recent investigation, PolitiFact reviewed court filings for 430 defendants arrested on charges tied to the riot. These defendants range from current and former law enforcement officials to a Washington, D.C. music teacher to conspiracy theorists here in California. PolitiFact found many of them saw their actions as patriotic, but they also found they were driven by the lie that the election was stolen and motivated by other misinformation. On how the lie that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent fueled the insurrection [The lie] was really exploited. T