Controlling the Narrative

The talking points of the Administration reflected a range of narratives that sharply contrasted with objective scientific facts and assessments presented by members of the scientific and public health communities. The theoretical framework describes the rational world and narrative paradigms;truth and credibility in decision-making;and the convergence of “fake news, " counternarratives, and conspiracy theories as they reveal the tensions between science and politics. Reliance on science as a basis for making sound policy decisions generally has prevailed, with a few exceptions. Due to mainstream media’s depiction of the pandemic as apocalyptic, a counternarrative to the primary narrative emerged, supporting the recommendations of public health officials and scientific experts. President Trump’s narratives outlining potential treatment for COVID-19 ran counter to science. The chapter offers examples of key themes and mixed messages to illustrate the conflicting positions, followed by discussion and directions for future research. © 2021 John Wiley and Sons Inc.