I don't know. I thought the news out of Turkey today was... interesting, at least from a historical perspective. I don't think it's just us in the US.

Its crazy elsewhere too like in the UK, Hungary, Russia, most of eastern and southern europe, India, Brasil, etc. same MO just nationalist/racist/anti intellectual/conspiracy junk shared on social media.

because it's the same Russian / Chinese / NK efforts, and all heavily automated.

how is this a surprise?

When hasn't it been mainstream? It sure qualified as mainstream for JFK assassinations and arguably Roswell as well. And that is before going to the Know-Nothings and their anti-catholic conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories about JFK, Roswell, moon-landings, and things like that are basically harmless. Well, mostly harmless anyway. Usually spread by someone trying to flog some nonsense book, or a confused "true believer".

But this is different: it's just a plain ordinary self-serving lie. Completely invented by a sad narcissistic liar and his merry band of sycophantic enablers to win ("win") an election.

There's also a type of maliciousness to it that's lacking in more traditional conspiracy theories.

We probably shouldn't even call it "conspiracy theory".