New Mitch McConnell photo fuels online conspiracy theories
In the latest photo, dated July 26, McConnell is seen in a similar pose next to his wife, Elaine Chao − intensifying suspicions that these images don't reflect reality. In an accompanying statement, his office said he was still having "intense physical therapy."
On social media, some users alleged the new photo was "AI slop" while others reposted heavily circulated, unfounded conspiracy theories that McConnell has died. Others turned the photo into AI-generated videos and shared posts mocking the believability of the latest image.
Experts say it's normal to wonder about a public figure's health, especially a politician who can heavily influence Americans' rights.
"When a highly powerful elected official is observed publicly experiencing a medical issue … it is reasonable to expect public discussion as well as a public response from the leader," Laura Petiford, marriage and family therapist and psychiatric nurse practitioner, previously told USA TODAY.
But health speculation can be harmful in some cases, too, experts add.
Public figures, including political leaders, "deserve a certain level of privacy regarding their personal health issues," Brad Fulton, professor of management, data science and philanthropy at the Indiana University Bloomington, previously told USA TODAY.
Plus, in current times, it's easy to ignore the boundaries of others.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/heal...075097007/
In the latest photo, dated July 26, McConnell is seen in a similar pose next to his wife, Elaine Chao − intensifying suspicions that these images don't reflect reality. In an accompanying statement, his office said he was still having "intense physical therapy."
On social media, some users alleged the new photo was "AI slop" while others reposted heavily circulated, unfounded conspiracy theories that McConnell has died. Others turned the photo into AI-generated videos and shared posts mocking the believability of the latest image.
Experts say it's normal to wonder about a public figure's health, especially a politician who can heavily influence Americans' rights.
"When a highly powerful elected official is observed publicly experiencing a medical issue … it is reasonable to expect public discussion as well as a public response from the leader," Laura Petiford, marriage and family therapist and psychiatric nurse practitioner, previously told USA TODAY.
But health speculation can be harmful in some cases, too, experts add.
Public figures, including political leaders, "deserve a certain level of privacy regarding their personal health issues," Brad Fulton, professor of management, data science and philanthropy at the Indiana University Bloomington, previously told USA TODAY.
Plus, in current times, it's easy to ignore the boundaries of others.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/heal...075097007/
teachings of the Bible are so muddled and self-contradictory that it was possible for Christians to happily burn heretics alive for five long centuries. It was even possible for the most venerated patriarchs of the Church, like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, to conclude that heretics should be tortured (Augustine) or killed outright (Aquinas). Martin Luther and John Calvin advocated the wholesale murder of heretics, apostates, Jews, and witches. - Sam Harris, "Letter To A Christian Nation"
