After Baltimore bridge collapse, unfounded conspiracy theories include a role for China
- Posts that cite Beijing as a possible suspect reflect rising alarm about China in the US and recent statements by Washington officials, analysts say
- ‘The increasing anti-China rhetoric in the US has contributed to the conspiracy theories that Chinese cyberattacks caused the bridge collapse,‘ one contends
By the time daylight last Tuesday revealed the twisted remains of the Francis Scott Key bridge blocking the Port of Baltimore and analysts began assessing the disruption and economic damage it would cause, conspiracy theories were already flooding US social media.
China emerged as one among many supposed culprits – along with other alleged causes discussed in right-wing media bubbles like unchecked immigration and “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) mandates – in the hours and days after the disaster that killed six people.
What set the China angle apart from other speculation was the context of starkly negative public opinion about China in America; dire US assessments about the ways Beijing allegedly seeks to exploit vulnerabilities in the country’s national security; and Washington actions taken to counter them.
The collapse occurred just a day after both Britain and the US newly accused China of cyberespionage and stealing the data of millions of Americans including lawmakers, academics and journalists.
With US-China relations remaining tense, Beijing was a suspect online, with several social media users citing repeated warnings by US government officials against possible cyberattacks on American infrastructure.