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In a candid remark, the speaker suggests that the term was originally associated with "sorrow sites"—a colloquial way of referring to certain online platforms or sources believed to spread misinformation. It wasn't until then-President Donald Trump took the term and weaponized it against mainstream media and political opponents that "fake news" became a widespread trigger for controversy and mistrust.
Trump's engagement with the term is viewed by some as a strategic move—"throwing it back in their face," as the speaker puts it—aimed at discrediting media outlets and critics who accused him of spreading or being the subject of false information. This shift has deeply influenced public perception, blurring the lines between genuine concern over misinformation and partisan rhetoric.