Question

Donald Trump & Steve Bannon used to talk about crashing the stock market to consolidate control over the U.S.

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He and Bannon both used to talk about this as a plan for consolidating control over the country.

Answer 1

The claim above, "Donald Trump & Steve Bannon used to talk about crashing the stock market to consolidate control over the U.S.", cannot be confirmed as true due to the fact that there is not enough credible, fact-based evidence to support it. Although The Rolling Stone is a well established name in the media industry, after reading this article it seems as if there are a lot of speculations and opinions about the topic rather than valid pieces of evidence. 

The origins of the idea that Trump had planned to tank the stock market on purpose came from a video posted on TikTok. The account that posted it had very little followers and is not considered a trustworthy source. This shows the power that the media has to influence the public and also how easy it is for people to consume it. It also shows the importance of research and evidence to back claims. If the public were to do more digging into a topic and find the origins of a claims conception, then there would be more trustworthy opinions going around. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/04/04/trump-shares-claim-hes-crashing-stock-market-on-purpose-as-he-lobbies-for-emergency-rate-cuts/    

Comments

This is a very succinct answer to the claim. I like that you mentioned the claim originated from a TikTok post and highlighted how this exemplifies how quickly misinformation can spread. I also agree with your opinion that people would be better informed if they took the time to research the claims they saw online. One thing to note is that your link appears to not be working, when visiting it it says the linked article is no longer available.

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The claim alleging Donald Trump and Steve Bannon discussed crashing the stock market is unsubstantiated and speculative. It lacks credible sources, relying on personal interpretation rather than verifiable evidence. Both individuals' public actions and statements, while often controversial, do not provide proof of such a plan. This claim exemplifies the dangers of online misinformation, highlighting the critical need for source verification and skepticism, especially in a politically charged environment where emotional appeals can easily overshadow factual accuracy.

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You make a great point about the misinformation that spreads online and the importance of verifying sources. I think you could go into more detail on why the claim lacks credibility, and add any red flags that the sources used, like anonymous leaks or misquoted material.

Answer 2

The claim that "Donald Trump & Steve Bannon used to talk about crashing the stock market to consolidate control over the U.S." heavily lacks credible resources and, therefore, cannot be proven as true. In fact, this claim is merely speculative. Although both individuals have been associated with controversial strategies and rhetoric, there is no verified source, documentation, or report supporting this allegation. The referenced post seems to reflect personal interpretation rather than concrete evidence.

Steve Bannon has been known for his strategic thinking and long-term political planning, often focusing on consolidating power through ideological movements rather than economic manipulation. Similarly, Donald Trump has made bold statements about the stock market, often tying its performance to his policies, but these remarks have been more about political posturing than actionable plans.

This claim cannot be confirmed as true; it is misleading and adds to the online speculation surrounding it. It is a great example of the importance of critical thinking when consuming online information. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, making sure your information or claims come from a credible source is critical. Especially when stating an opinion as though it is a fact on social media, as it creates more confusion and controversy. Without reliable evidence or corroboration, this claim remains unproven and should be approached with skepticism.

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Bannon's master plan for a third Trump term

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/maddow-blog-as-the-stock-market-falls-trump-haunted-by-his-discredited-campaign-promises/ar-AA1CjJpT

Comments

Hi! I think you were very thorough in your answer. It's worth noting that that when you view the TikTok, it is also flagged as being created, or at least manipulated by AI.

Answer 3

The above claim cannot be verified as true as the source for the video is a rolling stone article (linked here). While Rolling Stone is a fairly reputable source, this specific article uses a TikTok video as it's source (Linked here) that TikTok itself flags as being made by AI. Because of this, this claim cannot be verified as true. 

Answer 4

​The claim that Donald Trump and Steve Bannon discussed crashing the stock market to consolidate control over the U.S. lacks concrete evidence. While both have made statements suggesting a willingness to endure economic turmoil for perceived long-term benefits, there is no definitive proof of a deliberate plan to crash the stock market for consolidation of power.

Comments

You provided a solid claim that supports your opinion. What was the source that you used that supports your claim? I would add specific pieces of evidence from that source to support your claim to make it stronger. You evaluated the article well but I would definitely add your source in order to "fact-check." I agree that the claim above and the article provided is not enough evidence or credible evidence to lead people to one defined conclusion. There is a quote in the article that states "I didn’t know he had done it, and I have no comment because I literally have no idea.” which leads me to think people truly have no idea what to believe when addressing this claim. This supports my opinion of there not being enough evidence because it seem likes other people don't really have a defined answer either.