Text message rumors of a national #quarantine are FAKE. There is no national lockdown. @CDCgov has and will continue to post the latest guidance on #COVID19. #coronavirus— NSC (@WHNSC) March 16, 2020
New York Times: Chinese Agents Helped Spread Messages That Sowed Virus Panic in U.S., Officials Say
American officials were alarmed by fake text messages and social media posts that said President Trump was locking down the country. Experts see a convergence with Russian tactics.
WASHINGTON — The alarming messages came fast and furious in mid-March, popping up on the cellphone screens and social media feeds of millions of Americans grappling with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spread the word, the messages said: The Trump administration was about to lock down the entire country.
“They will announce this as soon as they have troops in place to help prevent looters and rioters,” warned one of the messages, which cited a source in the Department of Homeland Security. “He said he got the call last night and was told to pack and be prepared for the call today with his dispatch orders.”
The messages became so widespread over 48 hours that the White House’s National Security Council issued an announcement via Twitter that they were “FAKE.”
Since that wave of panic, United States intelligence agencies have assessed that Chinese operatives helped push the messages across platforms, according to six American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to publicly discuss intelligence matters. The amplification techniques are alarming to officials because the disinformation showed up as texts on many Americans’ cellphones, a tactic that several of the officials said they had not seen before.
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WNU Editor: My brother fell for this. Calling me at 1:30 AM that President Trump was going to declare martial law. And even though martial law has not been declared, he still believes that President Trump will declare it in the future. Unlike the Russians, the Chinese are very good at spreading disinformation and propaganda. This is how China wages war, and the U.S. better wake up.
More News On U.S. Intelligence Officials Saying Chinese Agents Helped Spread Fake Messages That Sowed Virus Panic in U.S.
Officials say China amplified disinformation about coronavirus to spread fear: NYT -- The Hill
Fake text messages claiming the US military would enforce a country-wide lockdown went viral last month. They were spread by Chinese agents, according to a new report. -- Business Insider
U.S. Intelligence Confirms China Is Responsible For Spreading Disinformation In United States About Coronavirus -- The Federalist
Chinese agents reportedly helped spread false information about a looming U.S. coronavirus lockdown -- The Week
China ramps up coronavirus propaganda in US to heighten fears -- NYPost
Viral texts about coronavirus lockdown were amplified by Chinese operatives, US officials say -- Verge
