Document Type
Article
Abstract
Whistleblowers can be viewed as heroic actors who reveal institutional misdeeds. In contrast, conspiracy theorists are seen as members of a marginalized element perpetuating misinformation. Despite this apparent difference, the present analysis focuses on how similarities between the two constructs can allow a target to discredit a whistleblower accusation by countering that the whistleblower is operating as part of a conspiracy. More generally, this paper considers how the difficulty inherent in disproving conspiracy theory claims facilitates their utility as a defense. The case study of President Donald Trump’s responses to whistleblower accusations are considered to illustrate the arguments.
DOI
10.26736/hs.2021.02.02
Recommended Citation
Beggan, James K.
(2021)
"The Conspiracy Theory Defense in Response to Whistleblower Accusations: Turning a Hero into a Villain,"
Heroism Science: Vol. 6:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
DOI: 10.26736/hs.2021.02.02
Available at:
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/heroism-science/vol6/iss2/2
Included in
American Politics Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, Social Psychology Commons