1/9 Latest COVID-19 misinformation from @realdonaldtrump is conspiracy theory that hospitals ask for so much medical equipment because of theft. Here's how this fits with the 7 traits of conspiratorial thinking, summarized in Conspiracy Theory Handbook sks.to/conspiracy 
2/9 Contradictory: coherence is not a priority with conspiracy theorists. @realdonaldtrump acknowledges the dire nature of the disaster dwelling on freezer trucks as makeshift morgues but is bamboozled why hospitals suddenly go from needing 10,000 masks to 300,000 masks.
3/9 Overriding Suspicion: Explanation of the spike in needed medical supplies is obvious: a catastrophic pandemic. Instead @realdonaldtrump instinctively treats health workers - heroically risking their lives daily, reusing masks & buying their own equipment - with suspicion.
4/9 Nefarious Intent: @realdonaldtrump says “I don’t think it’s hoarding... I think maybe it’s worse than hoarding.” Presumably he thinks health workers are stealing equipment, rather than keep themselves alive to treat a contagious disease without getting infected themselves.
5/9 Something Must Be Wrong: Conspiracy theorists cling to steadfast belief that official account must be wrong. In this case, the reality that hospitals are now war zones, health workers are on the front line short of equipment, & their “wartime President” fails to support them.
6/9 Persecuted Victim: Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, @realdonaldtrump responds to criticism with blame-shifting & victimhood. This tendency drives his latest conspiracy theory. Unable to provide sorely needed medical supplies, he deflects by blaming the shortage on thefts.
7/9 Immune to Evidence: Science denial is a persistent thought pattern. @realdonaldtrump has demonstrated immunity to scientific evidence before on climate change & vaccination. His disdain for science & disregard for facts is being seen clearly now as dangerous & costing lives.
8/9 Reinterpreting Randomness: Conspiracy theorists reinterpret patterns to fit with their deranged worldview. The spike in needed medical equipment must be due to theft, rather than a nation-wide crisis exacerbated by his downplaying of the problem & slowness to act.
9/9 Conspiracy theories & misinformation damage & endanger society, we see this more clearly than ever with COVID-19. But there’s much research into understanding & responding to conspiracy theories, summarized in the Conspiracy Theory Handbook sks.to/conspiracy @stworg
