A recent analysis of social media metrics reveals that Hillary Clinton’s emails were more topical on Super Tuesday than the general election or coronavirus, according to Vox contributor Aaron Rupar.

“According to data compiled by CrowdTangle, the most total interactions on Facebook came on a Fox News article about a federal judge granting a request from a right-wing group named Judicial Watch to make Clinton sit for a sworn deposition about her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state," Vox said.

Let’s put that in perspective. Not only was it a presidential primary day, but the coronavirus was spreading throughout the country. Investor confidence on Wall Street was waning and the Federal Reserve System had just announced historic interest rate cuts. 

Given the circumstances, how is it possible that Clinton’s four-year-old email scandal was the most pressing social media story of the day? 

“I begrudgingly give them a lot of credit because they are shaping a narrative. They know how to deliver those stories through the algorithms into the feeds of millions and millions of people," Clinton said in an interview published by Politico. 

Historically, Clinton is a preferred talking point for conservative commentators as she elicits outrage from the Republican base. This explains why the right wing continuously invokes her name during times of crisis.  

Predictably, current efforts to deflect criticism from United States President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus have involved Clinton.

On a recent broadcast, Fox News host Laura Ingraham suggested Trump's reaction to the pandemic was far better than Clinton's could have been if she won the presidency. 

“If her handling of Benghazi is any guide, it would have been a nightmare,” Ingraham said. 

Regardless of your political affiliation, everyone must ask themselves the following question: What possible relevance do Clinton’s emails or her association with Benghazi have with current events? If you answer objectively, the answer is none.

Instead of engaging in false propaganda, focus on reality. We are dealing with an infectious outbreak during a general election year. Fixating on Clinton will not contain the coronavirus or augment one’s voting preference. So be mindful of your news feed. And if you are a Democratic strategist, consider improving your social media skills. 

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