Solar eclipse: Experts debunk outlandish claims from conspiracy theorists
On Monday, an estimated 31.6 million people across America will be in the path of the biggest solar eclipse since 2017.
Scientists will be able to study its effects on layers of the atmosphere, but according to conspiracy theorists, it could also be the end of days.
The internet is running wild with some outlandish claims.
Signs from God
Republican congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene says she thinks it is a sign from God that America needs to repent its sins.
Her post on X suggested New York’s recent earthquake combined with the eclipse were “strong signs”.
Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested the solar eclipse was a sign from God. Pic: AP
“I pray that our country listens,” she posted.
Her post, seen by more than eight million people, had a community note added to explain that earthquakes are common and solar eclipses are predicted well in advance.
But the ability to predict the eclipse plays into other conspiracy theories.
Nefarious plans
Right-wing commentator Alex Jones recently held an X Spaces event to discuss “what the globalists have planned for the imminent total solar eclipse”.
His guest Andrew Meyer told viewers the eclipse falls on a date in the Hebrew calendar where new energy can be pushed into the coming year. Mr Jones described Mr Meyer as “a expert on this”.
Alex Jones’ InfoWars has broadcast multiple theories about the solar eclipse. Pic: AP
“The globalists, obviously, they want to make a big push for evil, negative energy,” Mr Meyer said.
“They want to inject the seed of every new year with negative energy because that’s what they harvest.”
A guest host of Alex Jones’ Infowars also discussed the idea that scientists studying the eclipse are using it for their “nefarious plans”.
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Total solar eclipse explained
“The globalists, they believe these events have special powers,” Mike Adams said.
“So they are lining up important things in their minds, things to summon power.
“They are using the solar eclipse as a justification for the nefarious plans they intend to carry out.”
Map showing when the eclipse will happen across the United States
End of days
Then there’s a vocal part of the internet who say Monday will be the end of the world, starting in Carbondale, Illinois.
Influencers have incorrectly mapped the eclipse’s ‘path of totality’ to show it covers between six and eight places called Nineveh.
Nineveh is mentioned in the Bible so the theorists are placing religious significance on their incorrect mapping.
In reality, this path, which shows where a total eclipse will be seen, covers two Ninevehs. The others will see a partial eclipse.
Read more:
Total solar eclipse: What can I see in the UK?
Solar eclipse: Why is this one special?
Total solar eclipse: How cloud cover could cause chaos
But the eclipse’s path continues to stir up theories.
Total eclipse promo
When combined with the path of the US eclipse in 2017, they form a cross. At the centre of that cross is Carbondale, Illinois.
If you live in Carbondale, that means you will be lucky enough to see the full eclipse twice in seven years. According to debunked influencers on TikTok, it also means doomsday starts in your city.
The theories are being debunked by other influencers like Dan McClellan, a religious academic at the University of Birmingham.
“The 8 April eclipse means absolutely nothing other than the moon is in between the Earth and the sun,” he said.
There are also rumours that America will be cast into darkness for days, when in reality some areas may experience darkness for a matter of minutes.
There are theories that food will run out, phone reception will disappear and electricity will be cut.
In reality, this eclipse will be significant and exciting, but if you survived the 2017 eclipse, you are likely to survive this one.
Dozens of supporters were outside court as the man accused of fatally shooting the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare made his first appearance.
Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder following the 4 December killing of Brian Thompson, 50, outside a midtown Manhattan hotel.
The 26-year-old is accused of ambushing and shooting the executive as he walked to an investor conference.
Luigi Mangione supporters stand outside the Supreme Court. Pic: AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah
Dozens of people who showed up in court to support the suspect including former army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning who was jailed for stealing classified diplomatic cables.
Dozens more queued in the hallway.
Mangione is also facing federal charges that could carry the possibility of the death penalty.
The judge set a deadline of 9 April to submit pre-trial motions.
Luigi Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson. Pic: Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP
In addition to the New York cases, Mr Mangione also faces charges of forgery, carrying firearms without a licence, and other counts in Pennsylvania, where authorities arrested him at a McDonald’s.
Police say he was in possession of a gun, bullets, multiple fake IDs and a handwritten document that expressed “ill will” towards corporate America.
He is being held in a Brooklyn jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including music mogul and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, and disgraced crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried.
The killing prompted some to voice their resentment at US health insurers, with Mangione attracting a cult following.
A poll taken in the wake of the shooting showed most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials were partly to blame for the incident.
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