The more Fox News a white American watches, the more likely they are to believe in a racist conspiracy theory, regardless of party affiliation and demographics
Tatishe Nteta, Provost Professor of Political Science, UMass Amherst
New peer-reviewed data shows Fox News viewership independently predicts belief in Great Replacement Theory — a textbook case of media agenda-setting turning fringe conspiracy into mainstream opinion.
Agenda-Setting TheoryMedia PrimingSocial Identity TheoryConspiracy Belief Formation
Theory Briefing
- A May 2026 banner at Nationals Park linking to a white nationalist deportation site spotlights how Great Replacement Theory has moved from fringe to public spectacle.
- Tracked survey data of 500+ white Americans shows Fox News viewership causally increases endorsement of replacement conspiracy beliefs, independent of party, ideology, or demographics.
- 61% of white Fox News viewers believe immigrants 'invade and colonize' the U.S., versus 39% of white Americans overall — a gap agenda-setting theory predicts precisely.