3/3/2025 Sacramento, CA – In a groundbreaking study released today, researchers at the Institute for Political Digital Engagement have found that independent politicians are facing a critical disadvantage in today’s fast paced political landscape: their misinformation is taking significantly longer to spread on social media compared to their Democratic and Republican counterparts.

The study, titled “Equal Opportunity Falsehoods: The Misinformation Gap in Modern Politics,” reveals that fabrications from major party candidates reach an average of 50,000 users within two hours, while independent politicians’ equally dubious claims struggle to reach even 5,000 users in the same timeframe.

“It’s simply not a level playing field,” complained independent presidential candidate Vernon Dill, whose claim that Wyoming is actually a hologram created by the National Park Service barely registered on social media metrics. “The big tech algorithms are clearly designed to amplify the lies of establishment politicians while suppressing our equally ridiculous assertions.”

The study found that when a Republican or Democratic candidate makes an outlandish claim—such as suggesting that climate change is caused by excessive bird migration or that inflation is a psychological construct—these statements are immediately amplified across platforms. Meanwhile, when independent candidate Marjorie Holloway asserted that dental floss is a government tracking device, her post received only 12 shares and a comment from her mother saying, “That’s nice, dear.”

Dr. Eleanor Franks, lead researcher on the study, noted: “Independent candidates are being forced to create increasingly absurd falsehoods just to achieve the same engagement as a mainstream politician’s routine misrepresentation of basic facts. It’s creating an arms race of absurdity that benefits no one.”

In response to the findings, a coalition of independent politicians has formed “Fair Lies for All,” advocating for algorithm changes that would ensure equal distribution of misinformation regardless of party affiliation.

“All we’re asking for is that our claim that the moon landing was filmed in Nebraska receives the same serious consideration as a major party candidate suggesting that tax cuts increase revenue,” said coalition spokesperson Tristan Webb. “Is that really too much to ask in a democracy?”

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