Stardom and popular culture are often considered distinct from news and politics, but the presidency of Donald Trump and recent advancements in media and information distribution have blurred this divide. This talk considers the ambiguously truthful narrative strategies of entertainment media, with an eye towards celebrity gossip and the rhetoric of famous figures, to trace how these influence users’ conceptions of truth and reliability. Case studies, including the popular blogging site DeuxMoi and notable conspiracy theories that have proliferated in the lead-up to this year’s presidential election, offer insight into the ways popular media can contribute to eroding public trust and deepening political polarization.

Andrea McDonnell is a media scholar and author whose work examines the production, content, and audience reception of popular media and American celebrity culture. Her research seeks to understand the ways in which audiences engage, take pleasure in, and make sense of celebrity gossip across media platforms, including print, television, and social media.

Dr. McDonnell holds a BA in American Studies from Vassar College and a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan. She also holds a graduate certificate in Museum Studies and has worked in fine arts and children’s museums throughout the northeast.

Campus community only, please.