The Twitter origins and evolution of the COVID-19 “plandemic” conspiracy theory

Tweets about “plandemic” (e.g., #plandemic) – the notion that the COVID-19 pandemic was planned or fraudulent – helped to spread several distinct conspiracy theories related to COVID-19. But the term’s catchy nature attracted attention from anti-vaccine activist filmmakers who ultimately created Plandemic the 26-minute documentary. Plandemic falsely attacks NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, among others, and an eventual coronavirus vaccine. The film, which has since been widely discredited, appeared to at least temporarily shift Twitter communications to different topics and organizations, fueling the flow of conspiracy theories and misinformation itself with specific public figures to demonize.