Amid hurricanes, the chemtrail conspiracy theory has its moment in the sun | Weather [Video]

(CNN) — Decades-old and long-debunked myths about so-called chemtrails have become a central part of a wild conspiracy theory that falsely asserts the US government used non-existent weather manipulation technology to create the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The conspiracy theory is being promoted by right-wing influencers online, some with millions of followers, who have a long track record of echoing false claims about the last presidential election. The hurricanes, some of these influencers baselessly claim, were deliberately steered toward Trump-supporting communities – part of a plot to “steal” next month’s election from former President Donald Trump.

As myths about Milton and Helene spread, interest in chemtrails increased too on Google search and social media. Chemtrail conspiracy theorists falsely believe condensation trails (known as contrails) left behind by aircraft in the sky are full of toxic chemicals spread by the government to control the weather or control people’s minds.

In reality, scientists saycontrails …