Law and Order
As crime rates and law enforcement policies dominate the headlines, the narratives surrounding public safety have become increasingly polarized. This section uncovers the ways in which gaslighting skews the public’s perception of justice, law enforcement, and community safety.
The “Tough on Crime” Narrative
Certain political leaders have attempted to reframe their policies as ‘tough on crime,’ even while advocating for measures like bail reform, reducing law enforcement budgets, and other policies that have coincided with rising crime rates. This narrative shift gaslights the public into believing that these leaders are serious about addressing crime, despite evidence suggesting that their policies may be contributing to public safety concerns.
The “Defund the Police” Push
The movement to defund the police is often promoted as a solution to systemic racism, even though weakening law enforcement disproportionately harms minority communities. Media outlets have gaslighted the public by shifting the narrative, suggesting that proponents of law and order are the ones advocating for defunding law enforcement.
Cancel Culture and Free Speech
The existence of cancel culture is often gaslighted, with countless examples of individuals being de-platformed or losing their jobs for expressing conservative viewpoints downplayed or denied. Big Tech censorship, particularly of right-leaning voices, is similarly dismissed.
Voter Fraud and Election Integrity
Concerns about voter fraud and election integrity during the 2020 U.S. presidential election were swiftly labeled as conspiracy theories, despite widespread reports of irregularities. This gaslighting dismissed legitimate questions without thorough investigation, undermining confidence in the electoral process.
The January 6th Capitol Riot
The January 6th Capitol event has been amplified and framed as an insurrection, with comparisons to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor, despite a lack of evidence supporting such extreme claims. This gaslighting creates an imbalanced narrative, distorting public perception of both events and their broader significance.
The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs was initially framed as a public safety initiative, yet it disproportionately targeted minority communities, leading to mass incarceration. The public was misled into believing the campaign was about combating addiction, when in fact it had far-reaching social and political consequences that were largely hidden.
Trump v. United States, 603 U.S. (Presidential Immunity)
In Trump v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that presidential immunity extends to all official acts. This ruling has been gaslighted by political figures, suggesting that it allows the former president unchecked power, distorting the legal realities of executive privilege.
Please note: The topics shared in this section are examples and not intended to be an exhaustive list of gaslighting or poetic truth instances in history or modern times. Please visit the website regularly, as our team continues to research and add new topics on an ongoing basis.