Understanding and Combating Misinformation: From Luigi Mangione’s Case to a Systemic Societal Problem

On October 30th, Luigi Mangione’s legal team added a new section to the Q&A of his Legal Defense Information website.

Quoting :
Q: Multiple people are claiming to report their experiences with Luigi before and during his incarceration. How do I know if they are true?

A : Numerous statements about Luigi circulating online and in the media have been filled with misleading characterizations and outright lies. These fabricated claims come from opportunistic individuals who are seeking to promote themselves at Mr. Mangione’s expense. This represents part of a longstanding pattern of people seeking to grift off the attention on Luigi by attempting to speak on his behalf, spread beliefs he doesn’t share, and malign him generally, during a time when he cannot speak for himself.

Luigi Mangione cannot speak nor defend himself during this time, he is vulnerable and being represented fairly is crucial for him to be able to have a fair trial, and some people take advantage of this vulnerability to gain attention or money. Statements made online have been shared and re-shared from opportunistic sources by the general public, sometimes reaching tabloids and outlets making articles about it.

Definitions of Key Terms: Misinformation and Disinformation, Analysis and Opinion

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is shared without the intent to deceive. In contrast, disinformation is a subset of misinformation which consists of deliberately false information created and spread with the intention to mislead.

An analysis is the process of examining something in detail to understand it better or to draw conclusions. An analysis in criminology is using objective methods, it is grounded in facts, scientific evidence, and research.

An opinion in criminology refers to beliefs or assumptions based on personal views, everyday experiences, or cultural norms, rather than on scientific evidence or research.

When it comes to Luigi Mangione’s situation, everyone seems to have an opinion. But it’s crucial to remember that an opinion is not evidence-based, nor is it a fact.

The trial has not yet begun, therefore Luigi Mangione is entitled to the presumption of innocence which is a fundamental principle of justice. Until proven guilty in a court, he remains innocent in the eyes of the law. This is why it is essential to use words such as “allegedly” when discussing ongoing legal matters, and to consistently remind ourselves and others that accusations are not convictions.

The presumption of innocence, protected under the Fifth Amendment, exists to ensure fairness and prevent public judgment from replacing due process, Luigi Mangione deserves a fair trial like any other citizen.

What is the Fifth Amendment ?
“It is a cardinal principle of our system of justice that every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until his or her guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt. The presumption is not a mere formality. It is a matter of the most important substance.”

The Urgency of Discussing Misinformation

Research shows that fake news often reaches more people and spreads faster than the truth (Soroush Vosoughi). Misinformation can be held in memory for years, even after the facts are set straight.

In a survey by PEN America, 11% journalists said they had unwittingly spread false information. About half of Americans believe in at least one disproven conspiracy theory.

Misinformation spreads faster than true information because of its social (shares, likes, comments) and emotional qualities (as such as fear). Although misinformation often originates from a small minority of spreaders, social media algorithms amplify their reach by prioritizing emotionally charged content. The motives behind spreading misinformation can vary widely, including political gain, attention, or financial profit.

This phenomenon is unfolding in real time with Luigi Mangione. Misleading and harmful information about him is being spread on social media (posted, shared, and discussed) often driven more by emotional reactions than by concern for accuracy no matter how harmful it is for Luigi Mangione. Social media algorithms amplify this effect, pushing this content forward.

The motivations of the individuals who originate these statements are clear: they attempt to speak on his behalf, spreading beliefs he does not hold while he cannot defend himself, often for personal gain.

Equally concerning are those who further spread or engage with this misinformation without focusing on mainly correcting it, fully aware it can damage his case or public image. The consequences are real and significant: reputational harm, invasion of privacy, and the distortion of public perception, all of which can undermine his right to a fair trial.

Health Misinformation: A Public Health Crisis

Misinformation becomes particularly dangerous when it involves health, turning into a public health crisis. Misleading content about medical treatments, disease prevention, or vaccines can put lives at risk.

1) Donald Trump linked taking Tylenol during pregnancy to autism. (2025)
2) Donald Trump suggested injecting bleach or disinfectant into the body to eliminate COVID-19. (2020)

Other instances include people following toxic alternative cancer treatments or engaging in dangerous health trends, such as drinking diluted borax; all without scientific evidence. Often, those spreading such misinformation benefit financially by selling products or services. The reach of health misinformation is amplified by social media: in one survey, 73% of Canadian 18- to 24-year-olds reported following at least one influencer who has shared anti-science views.

Timeline: From the Sixties to Today

1960s–1980s
Psychological research has helped us better understand how people form and keep their beliefs. For example, it shows how we decide whether a source is trustworthy and what kinds of messages are most convincing.
Starting in the 1970s, psychologists showed that even after misinformation is corrected, false beliefs can still persist (Anderson, C. A., et al.). Because of this, they’ve started testing ways to help people resist being persuaded by misinformation.

1990s-2000s
Researchers studied dual process theory, which explains that people think in two ways; one that’s quick and automatic (implicit) and one that’s slow and deliberate (explicit). They also explored perceptual fluency, the idea that people are more likely to believe something is true if it’s easy to read or understand, even when it’s false.

2004–2006
Facebook and Twitter were launched, making it easier and faster than ever to share information online. Psychologists found that social media platforms have many features that make messages more persuasive. For example, when friends or family share or “like” a post, it feels more trustworthy; even if the information hasn’t been checked.

2016
During the U.S. presidential election, the spread of fake news on social media reached its peak. Facebook revealed that up to 60 million bots were spreading false information on the platform, and one study showed that about one in four tweets linking to news articles shared fake or highly biased content. In response, psychologists began working more quickly to study how misinformation spreads online and to find ways to reduce its impact.

2018-Present
Psychologists have increased their efforts to fight misinformation using insights from years of research on how rumors spread. Researchers now study both misinformation (false claims shared accidentally) and disinformation (false claims spread intentionally to mislead).

Understanding the Psychological Factors Behind Why We Fall for Misinformation

Researchers have shown several reasons why people fall for misinformation. The main one is often described as “lazy thinking.”

Research shows that detecting false information is difficult. When we encounter new information, our brains naturally prioritize understanding it and deciding how to respond, rather than evaluating its accuracy.

This connects to the dual process theory mentioned earlier, which explains that we think in two different ways:

1) IMPLICIT: Quick and automatic and intuitive style which leads to believe and spread misinformation
2) EXPLICIT: Slow, analytical and deliberate allowing to step back and question information encountered.

Two cognitive biases help explain why we fall for misinformation.
1) The Confirmation Bias
It’s important to note that research also shows people apply skepticism selectively. We tend to be less critical of information that aligns with our existing beliefs or political views (Gampa, A., et al.). The confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that supports what we already think, while ignoring or doubting anything that challenges it, this means we’re less likely to doubt or verify information if it aligns with our worldview.

2) The Illusory Truth Effect Biais
According to behavioral models, simply being exposed to misinformation increases the likelihood of believing it, even when already having relevant prior knowledge about the topic. Repeated exposure to false information makes it seem more believable, even when we consciously know it’s untrue.

When false statements about Luigi Mangione are shared, reposted, or commented on repeatedly, they can start to feel more believable to the public; not because they are accurate, but simply because they are familiar. Over time, this repeated exposure can distort public perception, contributing to reputational harm and undermining his right to a fair trial.

Mental health matters too when it comes to believing and spreading misinformation. Psychological research shows that people tend to see patterns and believe information that makes them feel safe or connected to others. This natural need for security and belonging often drives irrational beliefs, and when people feel anxious, they become even more likely to believe them. In a world where politicians play on fear, misinformation becomes a political tool.

We tend to believe misinformation when:

• it fits with what we already believe or know

• we perceive the source as credible (ex: media sources, political elites, or celebrities)

• people in our social circle also believe or share it

• the information appears internally consistent

• there seems to be some form of evidence supporting it

It’s important to understand that people who are perceived as credible can use their social status to spread misinformation about Luigi Mangione in the unique goal of self interest. Before accepting or sharing what they say, question the intent behind the message shared by the source. Consider why this information is being shared and whether it serves the truth or someone’s personal gain.

How to Protect Yourself from Misinformation

Sander Van Der Linden give us 6 degrees of manipulation used to spread misinformation and disinformation :

• impersonation (pretending to be someone credible or authoritative)

• conspiracy (creating hidden, secretive narratives)

• emotion (using fear, anger, or excitement to manipulate reactions and algorithms)

• polarization (dividing people into “us vs. them” camps)

• discrediting (attacking those who provide correct information)

• trolling (provoking people or creating chaos to distract from facts)

To protect yourself from misinformation:
First, check the source: Verify where the information comes from and evaluate the credibility of the author/outlet.

Consider the intent: Why is this information being shared? What is the author trying to achieve? Is it based on evidence and research or just personal belief?

Opinions are often shared to trigger emotions. Pause when you see something that triggers a strong emotional reaction. How does this information make me feel? Why? Why do I want to share it?

You have to be aware of cognitive biases: is the information triggering any mental shortcuts, like confirmation bias or the illusory truth effect ?

Most importantly, fact-check actively and seek accurate information from multiple reliable sources before accepting or sharing a claim.

Educate yourself about how news and social media operate, including algorithms and engagement strategies.

Fighting False Information: Prebunking, Nudges, Debunking, and Literacy

Prebunking (before being exposed)
Prebunking, compared to a “cognitive vaccine”, is teaching people to recognize misleading tactics before they are exposed to them. It should be the first line of defense to build public resilience to misinformation in advance.

Studies show that prebunking can help people identify individual examples of misinformation or the techniques often used in misinformation.

How to do it: It has to be done before people encounter the information. You focus on general strategies or tricks that misinformation uses. It’s about raising awareness on the tactics.

• Forewarning about an impending attack on a belief : prepare them for the idea that there might be two different “sides” with two different sets of facts
  Example : People may try to manipulate you by…

• Statement that pre-emptively refutes the claim : explain why it is false
  Example : This is not true, because…

• Why the source lies
  Example : The reason this is happening is because…

Weak points : can fade over time if people encounter lots of misinformation.

Accuracy nudges
Accuracy nudge is about thinking about whether an information is true before sharing it. The main goal is to alter behavior in predictable and positive ways to encourage people to reflect on the veracity of claims they encounter so they can avoid sharing misinformation.

How to do it :

• Think before you share: Consider if the information is true.

• Social norm nudges: Remind people that the community values sharing accurate information.

• Motivational nudges: Reward or praise people for being careful and accurate.

Efficacy of accuracy nudge can be enhanced by combining them with other approaches.

Weak points : Relies on cooperation, don’t directly correct misinformation.

Debunking (after being exposed — less effective)
Debunking is correcting false information with accurate facts after it has already spread. Research shows that debunking is effective across ages and cultures especially in the short term BUT, debunking doesn’t always eliminate misperceptions completely.

When doing this, avoid focusing too much on the falsehoods; instead, emphasize the corrections. It is absolutely necessary that the correction is prominent so that accurate information is properly stored and retrieved from memory.

Rather than simply correcting facts, it’s important to address the social and emotional factors at play by discrediting the motives underlying a piece of misinformation.

How to do it ?

• Use trusted sources

• Sufficient details about why the claim is false

• Focus on what is true

Repeat this process as the effect of debunking fades over time.

Attention to cognitive bias : the backfire effect happens when trying to correct a false belief actually makes someone believe it even more.

Weak points : doesn’t prevent initial spread, people who are predisposed to believe misinformation tend to avoid correction, debunking doesn’t always eliminate misperceptions completely, for people strongly predisposed to believe the false claim it can have backfire effect bias, challenged by Illusory Truth Effect, short-term and needs repetition.

Literacy training
Literacy training is providing media literacy to help people judge the quality and accuracy of information. May be most effective when paired with other counter-misinformation tools.

I hope this article helped you realize that false information spreads faster than accurate information, especially in cases like Luigi Mangione, where algorithms amplify emotionally charged content online. This is why practicing accuracy nudges (pausing to think before sharing) is so important as well as prebunking when it starts to spread.

Spreading false information can harm Luigi’s Mangione reputation, undermine his right to a fair trial, but also create broader societal problems, as seen with health misinformation.

Teaching people to recognize misleading tactics before exposure is becoming a necessity, particularly as AI makes it easier to forge videos and images. This includes evaluating sources, recognizing bias, and fact-checking information. Be cautious when encountering emotionally charged content, always check the source, and consider the motives behind the message. Finally, being aware of your own biases can help reduce the likelihood of being misled.

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