Fact Check: Hilary Clinton eats children that she has stashed in her basement.

Fact Check: "Hillary Clinton eats children that she has stashed in her basement."

What We Know

The claim that "Hillary Clinton eats children that she has stashed in her basement" is a part of the broader "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which emerged during the 2016 United States presidential election. This theory falsely alleged that a child sex trafficking ring involving high-profile Democratic Party members was operating out of a Washington, D.C. pizzeria called Comet Ping Pong. The conspiracy gained traction after the hacking of John Podesta's emails, which were published by WikiLeaks. Proponents of the theory misinterpreted these emails as containing coded messages related to pedophilia and human trafficking (BBC, Wikipedia).

Despite the widespread dissemination of these claims, there has been no credible evidence to support them. No victims have come forward, and law enforcement, including the Washington, D.C. police, has thoroughly investigated the allegations and found them to be baseless (BBC, New York Times). The owner of Comet Ping Pong, James Alefantis, has publicly denied the existence of a basement in his restaurant, where the conspiracy theorists claimed such activities were taking place (BBC).

Analysis

The origins of the "Pizzagate" conspiracy can be traced back to a combination of misinformation and the viral nature of social media. The theory was primarily propagated by users on platforms like 4chan and Reddit, where individuals speculated about connections between various public figures and the supposed child trafficking ring. The lack of credible evidence and the reliance on circumstantial claims highlight the unfounded nature of these allegations (Wikipedia, TIME).

The sources that have debunked these claims, including major news organizations and fact-checking websites, have consistently pointed out the absence of any physical evidence or victim testimony supporting the allegations. For instance, a fact-check by FactCheck.org explicitly states that there is no proof linking Clinton or her associates to child trafficking. Furthermore, the sensational nature of the claims, combined with the political context, raises questions about the motivations behind their propagation. The conspiracy theory has been described as a politically orchestrated attack, reflecting a trend where conspiracy theories are weaponized for political gain (BBC, Rolling Stone).

Conclusion

The claim that "Hillary Clinton eats children that she has stashed in her basement" is unequivocally False. It is rooted in the debunked "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which has been thoroughly discredited by credible sources. The lack of evidence, the denial from involved parties, and the investigations by law enforcement all point to the conclusion that this claim is a fabrication with no basis in reality.

Sources

1. The saga of 'Pizzagate': The fake story that shows how conspiracy ... - BBC
2. Pizzagate conspiracy theory - Wikipedia
3. Fake News Onslaught Targets Pizzeria as Nest of Child- ... - New York Times
4. Fact Check: Hilary Clinton eats children that she has stashed in her ... - Truth or Fake
5. Social Media Posts Dredge Up Baseless 'Child Trafficking' Conspiracy ... - FactCheck.org
6. No Evidence of 'Horrific' Clinton Video - FactCheck.org
7. Pizzagate: What to Know About the Conspiracy Theory | TIME
8. Pizzagate: Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal - Rolling Stone