Battling the Big Lie: How Fox, Facebook, and the MAGA Media Are Destroying America

Dan Pfeiffer

Jun 2022 · Sold by Twelve

About this ebook

“BATTLING THE BIG LIE is an important read for anyone who’s wondering how the far right traffics in lies and what we can all do to fight back.” ―PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER OF YES WE (STILL) CAN! AND CO-HOST OF POD SAVE AMERICA.
 
BATTLING THE BIG LIE explains how to combat political disinformation and dangerous lies of the right-wing propaganda machine.

In BATTLING THE BIG LIE, bestselling author Dan Pfeiffer dissects how the right-wing built a massive, billionaire-funded disinformation machine powerful enough to bend reality and nearly steal the 2020 election. From the perspective of someone who has spent decades on the front lines of politics and media, Pfeiffer lays out how the right-wing media apparatus works, where it came from, and what progressives can do to fight back against disinformation.

Over a period of decades, the right-wing has built a massive media apparatus that is weaponizing misinformation and spreading conspiracy theories for political purposes. ⁠This “MAGA Megaphone”⁠ that is personified by Fox News and fueled by Facebook⁠ is waging war on the very idea of objective truth—and they are winning. This disinformation campaign is how Donald Trump won in 2016, almost won in 2020, and why the United States is incapable of addressing problems from COVID-19 to climate change.

Pfeiffer explains how and why the Republicans have come to depend on culture war grievances, crackpot conspiracies, and truly sinister propaganda as their primary political strategies, including: 

• Republican efforts from Roger Ailes to Steve Bannon and Donald Trump to sow distrust while exploiting the media’s biases and the Democratic Party’s blind spots.
• The optimization of Facebook as the ultimate carrier of Trumpist messaging.
• Educating the Left to stop clutching pearls and start “fighting fire with fire.”
• How to fight back against the trolls spreading disinformation and hate on the Internet.

A functioning democracy depends on a shared understanding of reality. America is teetering on the edge because one of the two parties in our two-party system views truth, facts, and science as their opponent. BATTLING THE BIG LIE is a call to arms for anyone and everyone who cares about truth and democracy. There are no easy answers or quick fixes, but something must be done.

Ratings and reviews

The lies start from the first page, and then followed by pure propaganda. None of the protestors were armed. The only ones that were killed by a cowards were Ashley Bobbit and Rosanne Boyland. I hate lies so much, but with this book, I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous lies that have been debunked over and over again. This book is leftist trash. P. S. For anyone interested in truth, it's not that difficult to find out. It just takes some effort. Listen to both sides and see who has the receipts (proof).

More lies from the psycho left. The ultimate truth is, if it was the most secure election ever, which it wasn't, why all the discrepancies and blocks at every turn. ? If theres nothing to hide, rollout the welcome mat for audits. What are you afraid of...hmmm??? I guess making America great isnt your cup of tea. We had the best 4 years in forever, now the country is the worst in more than a century. Take your drivel and propaganda hate elsewhere, this book shouldn't be on ANY platforms. Absolute drudge of a book.

Excellently written, very insightful regarding the twisting of reality & apparently in their minds shameless employment of "alternative facts" of the right wing propoganda machine. That said, the democrats & pundits on the opposite side(I wouldn't even call them the true progressive side anymore) have begun to engage in far too much use of the same disinformation tactics, & or attempts to block free speech, which is also scary. BOTH of the fully corrupt parties, who are owned by the same super wealthy entities & work almost entirely in those entities interests need to GO! The cowardly American people need to stop accepting Bidens, Trumps, Clintons, & Bushes, & demand something far better than being handed two candidates who are both owned by the same wealthy interests, & told to try & choose between the skightlt lesser of those two very great evils. It's ridiculous! How is it the American people are either stupid, lazy, or cowardly enough to have allowed this situation?

About the author

Dan Pfeiffer is a cohost of Pod Save America. One of Barack Obama's longest serving advisors, he was White House director of communications under President Obama (2009-2013) and senior advisor to the president (2013-2015). He lives in the Bay Area of California with his wife, Howli, their daughter, Kyla, and their son, Jack.