ABSTRACT
Partisanship in the new millennium seems powered less by ideology and more by ratings, merchandise sales, and branding, and one of the reliable drivers of internet traffic and social-media engagement is the hoax or conspiracy theory. X and Facebook algorithms continue to favor extreme, provocative, and sometimes fictionalized content that cannot be fact-checked or embarrassed. Social media virality has also influenced partisan television, too. The media outlets in this universe are catering to an audience that doesn’t want harsh facts or unpleasant realities but seeks belonging and community, set inside a compelling fantasy.
