10 years of scammers, conspiracy theories and fake news.
10 years of scammers, conspiracy theories and fake news.
Milestones in Mistrust
ByEve PeyserandFrank AugugliaroDec. 27, 2019
10 years of scammers, conspiracy theories and fake news.
A Decade of Distrust

Some months before the 2010s began, a shiny silver disc floated above the snowy mountains of Colorado. Trapped inside this balloon was a 6-year-old boy, his parents claimed. A feverish and widely televised rescue operation ensued. Military helicopters patrolled the air; the Denver airport briefly shut down. When the balloon finally fell to the ground, there was no boy inside. Later he was discovered in his parents’ attic, toys and snacks in tow. A CNN interview that evening suggested the whole thing was a hoax, especially after the boy, appearing beside his parents, said, “You guys said that, um, we did this for the show.” The balloon boy incident was our first taste of the 2010s — a decade of scams and ruses, of Donald Trump and Pizzagate, an era in which Americans learned that they shouldn’t believe anyone or anything.
Default Headline
Joaquin Phoenix/ “I’m Still Here”
After a nationally televised breakdown, we thought he had truly lost it. It turned out to be a publicity stunt for his mockumentary, “I’m Still Here.” Alas.
Tea Party (2010 midterms):
Initially called the “Tea-Baggers,” the right-wing reactionary movement was fueled by deep skepticism of big government. Before going totally mainstream, they smartly rebranded with a less sexual name.
Obama Submits His Long-Form Birth Certificate:
“No one is happier, no one is prouder, to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald,” President Obama said. “And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter: Like, did we fake the moon landing?”
Moon Juice Store Opens
The Goop-adjacent Amanda Chantal Bacon begins selling Brain Dust and Super You for $30-$60 per 1.5 oz jar. Fun fact: The 19th-century version of Moon Juice was known as “snake oil.”
Benghazi Attacks
A tragic terrorist attack at an American diplomatic compound somehow unfolded into a vast conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton, foreshadowing the rest of the decade.
“Catfish: The TV Show” Premieres
MTV provides a deeply satisfying investigation into the idea that no one is as charming, attractive or likable as they appear online, regardless of how willing we are to believe it.
Lance Armstrong Admits to Doping
Finally! An excuse to throw away that Livestrong bracelet.
Edward Snowden Leaks
Snowden’s revelations that the government is spying on its own citizens did not inspire the revolution it should have. It did, however, give us The Intercept.


’14

“Serial” Premieres
Five years after the breakthrough podcast helped kick off the true-crime renaissance, we still are no closer to knowing whether Adnan did it — but it was nice having an icebreaker for an entire year.
Amazon Introduces the Echo
The 2010s proved it’s easy to convince people to bug their own homes if you also give them the ability to listen to Maroon 5 on demand.
Rolling Stone Retracts “A Rape
on Campus”
Between 2 and 10 percent of sexual assault allegations are false, so it was miraculous that Rolling Stone was actually able to find someone who lied about a horrific assault.
Rachel Dolezal
The secretly white N.A.A.C.P. chapter president in Spokane, Wash., taught us that a bad spray tan and a perm can only take you so far.
Brian Williams Scandal
After fabricating a war story, Williams got a six-month suspension from his journalism job and (gulp) eventually had to host an 11 p.m. show on (shudder) cable news.
The Dress
Whether you thought it was black and blue or gold and white, the mania surrounding The Dress taught us that reality is subjective, truth is lies, ignorance is strength, war is peace, freedom is slavery, etc.
Snapchat Releases Lenses
Snapchat launches the first of many opportunities to look like a puppy, a dancing hot dog, or just a more beautiful version of yourself. Teens go wild.
“Planned Parenthood Is Selling Baby Parts”
Don’t believe the anti-abortion activists. If you’re looking to buy baby parts, try another location!
The Theranos Scam Is Exposed
Elizabeth Holmes proved that some light Steve Jobs cosplay, a Fortune cover, a $10 billion valuation and a terrifying gaze is no match for science.
Brexit Referendum
In the words of the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go now? / If I go, there will be trouble / And if I stay it will be double.”
Seth Rich Murder Conspiracy
Did this young Democratic staffer turn up dead because he leaked the D.N.C.’s emails to WikiLeaks and Hillary Clinton had him assassinated? Sean Hannity is just asking questions.
2016 Election Predictions:
Every supposedly data-based prediction model for the 2016 election told us Hillary Clinton was going to be the next president. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pizzagate
The only problem with believing a beloved Washington pizzeria was running a sex trafficking ring in its basement? It doesn’t have a basement.
Comey’s Letter/Hillary’s Emails
It’s unclear whether Comey’s letter about the F.B.I. investigation into Hillary’s emails gave the election to Trump, but it did land him a book deal and multiple talk show appearances.
Inauguration Press Conference
In his first press conference, Sean Spicer, who was a press secretary before joining “Dancing With the Stars,” baldly lied about the previous day’s crowd size. Kellyanne Conway described it as an “alternative fact” — and it was all downhill from there. Here we are now🙃
The “Lala Land”- “Moonlight” Debacle
To the relief of moviegoers everywhere, the film about white people inventing jazz did not win the Oscar for best picture.
Fyre Festival
Watching rich people get scammed inspired deep Schadenfreude. Sadly for us plebs, it’s Fyre Fest’s world,and we’re just living in it.
Bill Cosby Goes on Trial
It turns out that being America’s pudding-loving dad doesn’t mean you can’t also be convicted of sexual assault.
QAnon
QAnon is every right-wing conspiracy theory folded into one. And if you buy into it, you know that the president isn’t an incompetent narcissist but rather an Übermensch on a mission to save the United States from *checks notes* pedophilia?
Bitcoin Peaks
Money is fake, and the Bitcoin bubble proves it.
Laurel/Yanny
What the dress was for our eyes, Laurel/Yanny was for our ears. Further proof that reality is an illusion.
Anna Delvey
Fyre Fest walked so Anna Delvey, the scamstress of the New York City elite, could run.
Astrology Goes Mainstream
At some point, large numbers of Instagram users began rabidly posting memes about what it’s like to date a Leo and how emotional Pisces are. It was as if they had some secret meeting where they agreed to engage in this communal act of self-delusion. Then again, maybe the world is so messed up because Mercury is forever in retrograde and Donald Trump is such a Gemini.

Jussie Smollett
If only the Empire actor could have channeled his wild imagination into screenwriting, instead of coordinating an elaborate hate crime hoax.
College Admissions Scandal
You ever have a sneaking suspicion that the ultrawealthy abuse their capital to get ahead in life? Same.
Anti-Vaxx On the Rise
The World Health Organization called the anti-vaccination movement one of the top 10 global health threats of 2019. Maybe they’ll reconsider in 2020, when the mumps become ultra chic, or in 2025, when smallpox finally has its moment in the spotlight.
Epstein Suicide
When the maybe billionaire and (almost certainly) pedophile hanged himself while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, the question wasn’t whether he was actually murdered, but who did it. The Clintons or Queen Elizabeth?
Trump Sharpie Map
When you’re a star, you can do anything … including controlling weather patterns, I suppose.
Photo credits: Boehner, Holmes, QAnon, Comey, Hannity, Delvey, Smollett: Getty Images; Clinton, Trump, Loughlin, Dress: The New York Times; Dolezal, McFarland: Associated Press; Galaxy: NASA; Spicer: Reuters
’10
Joaquin Phoenix/ “I’m Still Here”
After a nationally televised breakdown, we thought he had truly lost it. It turned out to be a publicity stunt for his mockumentary, “I’m Still Here.” Alas.
Tea Party (2010 Midterms):
Initially called the “Tea-Baggers,” the right-wing reactionary movement was fueled by deep skepticism of big government. Before going totally mainstream, they smartly rebranded with a less sexual name.
’11
Moon Juice Store Opens
The Goop-adjacent Amanda Chantal Bacon begins selling Brain Dust and Super You for $30-$60 per 1.5 oz jar. Fun fact: The 19th-century version of Moon Juice was known as “snake oil.”
Obama Submits His Long-Form Birth Certificate:
“No one is happier, no one is prouder, to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald,” President Obama said. “And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter: Like, did we fake the moon landing?”
’12
“Catfish: The TV Show” Premieres
MTV provides a deeply satisfying investigation into the idea that no one is as charming, attractive or likable as they appear online, regardless of how willing we are to believe it.
Benghazi Attacks
A tragic terrorist attack at an American diplomatic compound somehow unfolded into a vast conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton, foreshadowing the rest of the decade.
’13
Lance Armstrong Admits to Doping
Finally! An excuse to throw away that
Livestrong bracelet.
Edward Snowden Leaks
Snowden’s revelations that the
government is spying on its own citizens did not inspire the
revolution it should have. It did,
however, give us The Intercept.
’14
“Serial” Premieres
Five years after the breakthrough podcast helped kick off the true-crime renaissance, we still are no closer to knowing whether Adnan did it — but it was nice having an icebreaker for an entire year.
Rolling Stone Retracts “A Rape on Campus”
Between 2 and 10 percent of sexual assault allegations are false, so it was miraculous that Rolling Stone was actually able to find someone who lied about a horrific assault.
Amazon Introduces the Echo
The 2010s proved it’s easy to convince people to bug their own homes if you also give them the ability to listen to Maroon 5 on demand.
’15
Rachel Dolezal
The secretly white N.A.A.C.P. chapter president in Spokane, Wash., taught us that a bad spray tan and a perm can only take you so far.
Brian Williams Scandal
After fabricating a war story, Williams got a six-month suspension from his journalism job and (gulp) eventually had to host an 11 p.m. show on (shudder) cable news.
Snapchat Releases Lenses
Snapchat launches the first of many opportunities to look like a puppy, a dancing hot dog, or just a more beautiful version of yourself. Teens go wild.
The Dress
Whether you thought it was black and blue or gold and white, the mania surrounding The Dress taught us that reality is subjective, truth is lies, ignorance is strength, war is peace, freedom is slavery, etc.
“Planned Parenthood Is Selling Baby Parts”
Don’t believe the anti-abortion activists.
If you’re looking
to buy baby parts, try another location!
The Theranos Scam Is Exposed
Elizabeth Holmes proved that some light Steve Jobs cosplay, a Fortune cover, a $10 billion valuation and a terrifying gaze is no match for science.
’16
Seth Rich Murder Conspiracy
Did this young Democratic staffer turn up dead because he leaked the D.N.C.’s emails to WikiLeaks and Hillary Clinton had him assassinated? Sean Hannity is just asking questions.
Brexit Referendum
In the words of the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go now? / If I go, there will be trouble / And if I stay it will be double.”
2016  Election
Predictions:
Every supposedly data-based prediction model for the 2016 election told us Hillary Clinton was going to be the next president.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pizzagate
The only problem with believing a beloved Washington pizzeria was running a sex trafficking ring in its basement? It doesn’t have a basement.
Comey’s Letter/Hillary’s Emails
It’s unclear whether Comey’s letter about the F.B.I. investigation into Hillary’s emails gave the election to Trump, but it did land him a book deal and multiple talk show appearances.
’17
Inauguration Press Conference
In his first press conference, Sean Spicer, who was a press secretary before joining “Dancing With the Stars,” baldly lied about the previous day’s crowd size. Kellyanne Conway described it as an “alternative fact” — and it was all downhill from there. Here we are now.
The “Lala Land”-“Moonlight” Debacle
To the relief of moviegoers everywhere, the film about white people inventing jazz did not win the Oscar for best picture.
Fyre Festival
Watching rich people get scammed inspired deep Schadenfreude. Sadly for us plebs, it’s Fyre Fest’s world, and we’re just living in it.
QAnon
QAnon is every right-wing conspiracy theory folded into one. And if you buy into it, you know that the president isn’t an incompetent narcissist but rather an Übermensch on a mission to save the United States from *checks notes* pedophilia?
Bill Cosby
Goes on Trial
It turns out that being America’s pudding-loving dad doesn’t mean
you can’t also be convicted of sexual
assault.
Bitcoin Peaks
Money is fake, and the Bitcoin bubble proves it.
Astrology Goes
Mainstream
At some point, large numbers of Instagram users began rabidly posting memes about what it’s like to date a Leo and how emotional Pisces are. It was as if they had some secret meeting where they agreed to engage in this communal act of self-delusion. Then again, maybe the world is so messed up because Mercury is forever in retrograde and Donald Trump is such a Gemini.
’18
Laurel/Yanny
What the dress was for our eyes, Laurel/Yanny was for our ears. Further proof that reality is an illusion.
Anna Delvey
Fyre Fest walked so Anna Delvey, the scamstress of the New York City elite, could run.
’19
Jussie Smollett
If only the Empire actor could have channeled his wild imagination into screenwriting, instead of coordinating an elaborate hate crime hoax.
Anti-Vaxx On the Rise
The World Health Organization called the anti-vaccination movement one of the top 10 global health threats of 2019. Maybe they’ll reconsider in 2020, when the mumps become ultra chic, or in 2025, when smallpox finally has its moment in the spotlight.
College Admissions Scandal
You ever have a sneaking suspicion that the ultrawealthy abuse their capital to get ahead in life? Same.
Epstein Suicide
When the maybe billionaire and (almost certainly) pedophile hanged himself while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, the question wasn’t whether he was actually murdered, but who did it. The Clintons or Queen Elizabeth?
Trump Sharpie Map
When you’re a star, you can do anything … including controlling weather patterns, I suppose.
Photo credits: Boehner, Holmes, QAnon, Comey, Hannity, Delvey, Smollett: Getty Images; Clinton, Trump, Loughlin, Dress: The New York Times; Dolezal, McFarland: Associated Press;
Galaxy: NASA; Spicer: Reuters
’10
Joaquin Phoenix/
“I’m Still Here”
After a nationally televised breakdown, we thought he had truly lost it. It turned out to be a publicity stunt for his mockumentary, “I’m Still Here.” Alas.
Tea Party (2010 Midterms):
Initially called the “Tea-Baggers,” the right-wing reactionary movement was fueled by deep skepticism of big government. Before going totally mainstream, they smartly rebranded with a less sexual name.
’11
Moon Juice Store Opens
The Goop-adjacent Amanda Chantal Bacon begins selling Brain Dust and Super You for $30-$60 per 1.5 oz jar. Fun fact: The 19th-century version of Moon Juice was known as “snake oil.”
Obama Submits His Long-Form Birth Certificate:
“No one is happier, no one is prouder, to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald,” President Obama said. “And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter: Like, did we fake the moon landing?”
’12
“Catfish: The TV Show” Premieres
MTV provides a deeply satisfying investigation into the idea that no one is as charming, attractive or likable as they appear online, regardless of how willing we are to believe it.
Benghazi Attacks
A tragic terrorist attack at an American diplomatic compound somehow unfolded into a vast conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton, foreshadowing the rest of the decade.
’13
Lance Armstrong Admits to Doping
Finally! An excuse to throw away that Livestrong bracelet.
Edward Snowden Leaks
Snowden’s revelations that the government is spying on its own citizens did not inspire the revolution it should have. It did, however, give us The Intercept.
’14
“Serial” Premieres
Five years after the breakthrough podcast helped kick off the true-crime renaissance, we still are no closer to knowing whether Adnan did it — but it was nice having an icebreaker for an entire year.
Amazon Introduces the Echo
The 2010s proved it’s easy to convince people to bug their own homes if you also give them the ability to listen to Maroon 5 on demand.
Rolling Stone Retracts “A Rape on Campus”
Between 2 and 10 percent of sexual assault allegations are false, so it was miraculous that Rolling Stone was actually able to find someone who lied about a horrific assault.
’15
Rachel Dolezal
The secretly white N.A.A.C.P. chapter president in Spokane, Wash., taught us that a bad spray tan and a perm can only take you so far.
Brian Williams Scandal
After fabricating a war story, Williams got a six-month suspension from his journalism job and (gulp) eventually had to host an 11 p.m. show on (shudder) cable news.
The Dress
Whether you thought it was black and blue or gold and white, the mania surrounding The Dress taught us that reality is subjective, truth is lies, ignorance is strength, war is peace, freedom is slavery, etc.
Snapchat Releases Lenses
Snapchat launches the first of many opportunities to look like a puppy, a dancing hot dog, or just a more beautiful version of yourself. Teens go wild.
“Planned Parenthood Is Selling Baby Parts”
Don’t believe the anti-abortion activists. If you’re looking to buy baby parts, try another location!
The Theranos Scam Is Exposed
Elizabeth Holmes proved that some light Steve Jobs cosplay, a Fortune cover, a $10 billion valuation and a terrifying gaze is no match for science.
’16
Seth Rich Murder Conspiracy
Did this young Democratic staffer turn up dead because he leaked the D.N.C.’s emails to WikiLeaks and Hillary Clinton had him assassinated? Sean Hannity is just asking questions.
Brexit Referendum
In the words of the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go now? / If I go, there will be trouble / And if I stay it will be double.”
2016 Election
Predictions:
Every supposedly data-based prediction model for the 2016 election told us Hillary Clinton was going to be the next president.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pizzagate
The only problem with believing a beloved Washington pizzeria was running a sex trafficking ring in its basement? It doesn’t have a basement.
Comey’s Letter/Hillary’s Emails
It’s unclear whether Comey’s letter about the F.B.I. investigation into Hillary’s emails gave the election to Trump, but it did land him a book deal and multiple talk show appearances.
’17
Inauguration Press Conference
In his first press conference, Sean Spicer, who was a press secretary before joining “Dancing With the Stars,” baldly lied about the previous day’s crowd size. Kellyanne Conway described it as an “alternative fact” — and it was all downhill from there. Here we are now.
The “Lala Land”-“Moonlight” Debacle
To the relief of moviegoers everywhere, the film about white people inventing jazz did not win the Oscar for best picture.
Fyre Festival
Watching rich people get scammed inspired deep Schadenfreude. Sadly for us plebs, it’s Fyre Fest’s world, and we’re just living in it.
QAnon
QAnon is every right-wing conspiracy theory folded into one. And if you buy into it, you know that the president isn’t an incompetent narcissist but rather an Übermensch on a mission to save the United States from *checks notes* pedophilia?
Bill Cosby Goes on Trial
It turns out that being America’s pudding-loving dad doesn’t mean you can’t also be convicted of sexual assault.
Bitcoin Peaks
Money is fake, and the Bitcoin bubble proves it.
Astrology Goes Mainstream
At some point, large numbers of Instagram users began rabidly posting memes about what it’s like to date a Leo and how emotional Pisces are. It was as if they had some secret meeting where they agreed to engage in this communal act of self-delusion. Then again, maybe the world is so messed up because Mercury is forever in retrograde and Donald Trump is such a Gemini.
’18
Laurel/Yanny
What the dress was for our eyes, Laurel/Yanny was for our ears. Further proof that reality is an illusion.
Anna Delvey
Fyre Fest walked so Anna Delvey, the scamstress of the New York City elite, could run.
Jussie Smollett
If only the Empire actor could have channeled his wild imagination into screenwriting, instead of coordinating an elaborate hate crime hoax.
’19
Anti-Vaxx On the Rise
The World Health Organization called the anti-vaccination movement one of the top 10 global health threats of 2019. Maybe they’ll reconsider in 2020, when the mumps become ultra chic, or in 2025, when smallpox finally has its moment in the spotlight.
College Admissions Scandal
You ever have a sneaking suspicion that the ultrawealthy abuse their capital to get ahead in life? Same.
Epstein Suicide
When the maybe billionaire and (almost certainly) pedophile hanged himself while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, the question wasn’t whether he was actually murdered, but who did it. The Clintons or Queen Elizabeth?
Trump Sharpie Map
When you’re a star, you can do anything … including controlling weather patterns, I suppose.
Photo credits: Boehner, Holmes, QAnon, Comey, Hannity, Delvey, Smollett: Getty Images; Galaxy: NASA; Spicer: Reuters
Clinton, Trump, Loughlin, Dress: The New York Times; Dolezal, McFarland: Associated Press;



