The Rapid Spread of Disinformation in the Hortman-Boelter Case: A Case Study
The tragic shooting of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband in June 2025 immediately became a breeding ground for misinformation and conspiracy theories. Before law enforcement had even released the suspect’s name, conservative media outlets and personalities seized upon fragmented pieces of information to construct a narrative portraying the shooter, Vance Boelter, as a left-wing extremist connected to Democratic Governor Tim Walz. This narrative, completely divorced from reality, rapidly spread across social media, fueled by partisan divides and a thirst for sensationalized content.
The initial wave of misinformation focused on Boelter’s appointment by Walz to a bipartisan working group in 2019. This tenuous connection was amplified into claims of a close friendship, with some even suggesting that Walz had ordered a "political hit" on Hortman in retaliation for her recent vote against providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants. This theory conveniently ignored early reports that Walz himself was on a hit list found in Boelter’s vehicle. The misinformation campaign gained traction through influential right-wing figures, including Senator Mike Lee, who labeled Boelter a "Marxist."
This narrative gained momentum despite its flimsy foundation. Right-wing media figures like Alec Lace and Julio Rosas quickly connected Hortman’s vote to the shooting, while Rosas highlighted Boelter’s past appointment to a government board by Walz. These seemingly innocuous details were spun into a sinister plot, with figures like Laura Loomer calling for Walz’s arrest and interrogation by the FBI. The "No Kings" protest flyers found in Boelter’s vehicle, unrelated to the crime, were also woven into the narrative, further fueling the flames of conspiracy.
The misinformation escalated as commentators like Nick Sortor fabricated connections between the Boelters and Walz, demanding investigations into non-existent ties. Dinesh D’Souza misleadingly linked the "No Kings" flyers to the shooting, while Benny Johnson baselessly questioned whether the entire incident was a "false flag" operation. Mike Cernovich, a notorious right-wing troll, went so far as to label Walz a "terrorist" directly involved in the attack. These accusations spread like wildfire, poisoning public discourse before any verifiable facts emerged.
As actual details about Boelter and his motives began to surface, the stark contrast between reality and the fabricated narrative became evident. Boelter’s "hit list" included not only Walz but also other prominent Democrats, including U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Representative Ilhan Omar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Boelter’s friends described him as a Trump supporter with far-right leanings, an avid consumer of Alex Jones’ Infowars, and someone who would be “offended” to be called a Democrat. Further investigation revealed Boelter’s links to evangelical ministries, his anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ stances, and his association with right-wing organizations.
The damage, however, had already been done. The initial misinformation had taken root, leaving a lingering cloud of doubt and distrust. Even after facts emerged, outlets like the New York Post continued to emphasize Boelter’s past connection to Walz, while downplaying his extremist views and the extensive hit list. The case highlights the dangerous speed at which misinformation can spread, particularly in a hyper-partisan climate, and the lasting impact it can have on public perception, even after being debunked. The Hortman-Boelter case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of critical thinking, media literacy, and relying on verified information from credible sources in the face of sensationalized narratives.
