Disinformation and emotions in the 2024 European Parliament and US presidential elections

The objective of this research is to comparatively analyze the emotional dimension of disinformation spread during two key electoral processes in 2024: the US presidential elections and the European Parliament elections. A quantitative content analysis was conducted on a sample of 622 cases of false information verified by 52 European agencies in 20 European Union countries and by PolitiFact in the United States. The analytical model assesses the presence, dynamics, and emotional intensity of disinformation content, alongside the actors involved, predominant topics, and the influence of dissemination channels and formats. The findings reveal a strong emotional component in electoral disinformation (65.5 %), with notable variations in intensities and dynamics depending on the political context. Emotional prevalence is highest in the United States (80.7 %), where the polarization of the two-party system and the personalization of campaigns amplify the emotional charge of messages. Negative emotions (73.4 %), such as anger and fear, predominate and are used to polarize and undermine institutional trust. However, positive emotions are also strategically employed to strengthen identification with political figures. Emotional disinformation circulates mainly on social media platforms (80.4 %), where anonymous users are the main disseminators (44.3 %). The results underscore the need to approach the study of disinformation from a comprehensive lens that integrates its affective dimension, to better understand its mechanisms of diffusion and develop effective mechanisms to safeguard democratic health. • The emotional dimension constitutes a structural feature of electoral disinformation. • The presence of emotions in elections depending on the political context. • Emotions are strategically employed to maximize the impact of messages. • The role of social media in the dissemination of emotional disinformation is crucial. • Negative emotions predominate and are used to polarize and undermine institutional trust.