What is a “wrap-up smear”?
A "wrap-up smear" is a political tactic where opponents deliberately mischaracterize or distort someone's position, then repeatedly reference this distortion through various media channels until it becomes widely discussed. The process typically works in these steps:
- Make false or misleading claims about an opponent
- Ensure these claims get media coverage
- Reference the media coverage as validation of the claims
- Use the manufactured controversy in campaign materials
The term was notably used by Nancy Pelosi, who described it as a political tactic where "You smear somebody with falsehoods and then you merchandise it, and then you [the press] write it, and then they'll say 'See, it's reported in the press that this, this, this, and this.'"
The effectiveness of this tactic relies on the repetition of claims across multiple platforms, creating an impression that where "there's smoke, there must be fire," even when the original allegations had little or no factual basis.
A "wrap-up smear" is a political tactic described by Nancy Pelosi during a press briefing in 2017. It involves spreading falsehoods or smears about someone, then amplifying those claims through media coverage to give them credibility. Once the media reports on the smear, the originators use the media's validation to further promote the false narrative.
It's a strategy often criticized for its role in undermining constructive political discourse. If you're curious, you can explore more about Pelosi's explanation here or here.
A "wrap-up smear" is a term used in legal and political contexts, particularly in the U.S., to describe a tactic where an investigator or prosecutor concludes an investigation by publicly discrediting a target—often without filing formal charges—effectively damaging their reputation without due process.
Key Features of a Wrap-Up Smear:
- No Formal Charges Filed – The investigation ends without indictments or convictions, but the target is still publicly implicated.
- Selective Leaks or Statements – Investigators or officials may release damaging information or insinuations, often through the media.
- Reputation Harm – Even if no legal action is taken, the target's public image is tarnished.
- Political or Strategic Motive – Sometimes used to neutralize a political opponent or public figure without going through a full trial.
Examples:
- The FBI's handling of high-profile cases (e.g., investigations into political figures where leaks shape public perception before any legal resolution).
- Special Counsel reports that criticize a person’s behavior without recommending prosecution (e.g., the Mueller Report on Trump-Russia, which did not charge Trump but included negative findings).
Criticism:
- Seen as unfair since it bypasses the judicial process.
- Can be politically weaponized to damage opponents.
A "wrap-up smear" is a political tactic, often considered unethical, where false or misleading information about someone is spread through various channels, including the press. The intent is to create a negative perception, and then when the media reports on these allegations, the originators of the smear use that coverage as "validation" of their claims.
Here's a breakdown of how it works, according to a description by Nancy Pelosi in 2017:
- Fabrication: Someone makes up false or exaggerated accusations against an individual or group.
- Dissemination: This information is then spread, often to the media.
- Media Coverage: The press reports on these charges because they are now "news."
- "Validation": The people who initiated the smear then point to the media coverage as proof that their claims are valid because "everybody is writing about it."
Pelosi described it as a self-fulfilling prophecy and a diversionary tactic used to distract from other issues. The target of a wrap-up smear often has to spend time and resources correcting the false information rather than focusing on their primary goals.
It's important to note that the term gained significant attention when a clip of Nancy Pelosi describing this tactic was circulated out of context, falsely suggesting she was admitting that Democrats used it. In the full context, she was accusing Republicans of employing this strategy.
A "wrap-up smear" is a political tactic where someone intentionally spreads false or misleading information, gets the media to report on it, and then uses that media coverage as "proof" that the (false) information must be credible.
The idea is to "wrap it up" — you create the lie, you spread it through seemingly credible sources, and then you cite those sources as if they independently confirmed your claim.
This term became widely discussed after former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi explained it in 2018 during a press conference. Here’s roughly how she described it:
"You smear somebody with falsehoods and all the rest, and then you merchandise it. And then you (the media) write it, and they'll say, 'See, it's reported in the press that this, this, this, and this,' so they have that validation that the press reported the smear, and then it's called the wrap-up smear."
In short, it's a dirty trick to manipulate public perception.
A "wrap-up smear" is a political tactic where someone, typically a politician or operative, plants a false or misleading story with the media, then uses the resulting coverage to amplify the narrative as if it were independently verified. The term was popularized by Nancy Pelosi in 2018, who described it as a deliberate strategy: a claim is seeded, media outlets report it, and then the instigator cites the coverage to legitimize the falsehood, often to discredit an opponent. It’s a form of coordinated disinformation, exploiting media amplification to manipulate public perception.
A "wrap-up smear" is a discrediting tactic where false claims are fabricated, disseminated through media channels, and then cited as evidence of widespread public concern. The process involves three key steps:
- Fabrication: Creating false or misleading accusations against a target.
- Amplification: Leveraging media outlets to propagate the claims, creating the illusion of legitimacy through press coverage.
- Validation: Citing the resulting media reports as proof that the accusations merit scrutiny, even if they originated as baseless smears.
The term gained attention in political contexts, notably when Nancy Pelosi described it as a strategy she attributed to Republicans, where manufactured controversies are used to divert attention from substantive issues. For example, she alleged this tactic involved smearing opponents with falsehoods, then pointing to media coverage of those smears to justify further attacks.
Historically, similar smear tactics have been employed in cases like General Motors' surveillance of Ralph Nader and tabloid-driven attacks on Gary Hart's 1988 presidential campaign. The method relies on creating a self-reinforcing cycle where media coverage lends superficial credibility to unfounded claims, forcing targets to address fabricated allegations rather than substantive matters.