Instilling Doubts About Truth: The Impact of Putin's Interview on X Discourse

On February 7, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a two-hour interview to conservative political commentator, Tucker Carlson. This study investigated the impact of the Carlson–Putin interview on the U.S. X audience. We proposed a framework of social media impact using machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) by measuring changes in audience, structure, and content. Triangulation methods were used for guiding and validating the process and results. The interview had a considerable impact among segments of the American public: (1) the reach and engagement of far-right influencers increased after the interview, suggesting Kremlin narratives gained traction within these circles, (2) the communication structure became more vulnerable to disinformation spread after the interview, and (3) the public discourse changed from support for Ukraine funding to conversations about Putin, Russia, and the issue of “truth” or the veracity of Putin's claims. This research contributes methods development for social media studies, and aids scholars analyzing how public opinion shapes policy debates. The Carlson–Putin interview sparked a broader discussion about truth-telling. Far from being muted, the broad impact of the interview appears considerable, and poses challenges for foreign affairs leaders who depend on public support and buy-in when formulating national policy.