POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Jocelyn Benson’s Family Ties to Saline Data Center Claim Investigated
The Claim A viral social media post circulated claiming that Jocelyn Benson, the Secretary of State of Michigan, has familial connections to a data center in Saline, Michigan. The post, which gained...
The Claim
A viral social media post circulated claiming that Jocelyn Benson, the Secretary of State of Michigan, has familial connections to a data center in Saline, Michigan. The post, which gained traction on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, suggested that this connection might influence her official decisions regarding data privacy and election infrastructure.
The specific claim was made in a short video that included a screenshot of an article from Bridge Michigan, which itself was cited as a source. The video claimed that Benson’s relatives were involved in the development of the Saline data center, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. This led to widespread public concern and calls for transparency from the Michigan Secretary of State’s office.
The Details & Investigation
Bridge Michigan, the publication cited in the original viral content, published a fact-check article titled Fact Check: Jocelyn Benson’s Family Ties to Saline Data Center. According to the article, the claim originated from a social media post that falsely attributed a statement to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. The post suggested that Benson had close family ties to the Saline data center, but no evidence was presented to support this assertion.
Upon investigation, it was found that Jocelyn Benson is married to David S. C. Johnson, who is a partner at the law firm Dickinson Wright. However, there is no public record indicating that Johnson or any of his family members have direct ties to the Saline data center. Furthermore, the data center in question, operated by Equinix, is a commercial entity with no known connection to Benson or her family. The company’s website lists its major clients and partners, none of which include the Benson or Johnson families.
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Additionally, the original video that sparked the claim was traced back to a user account that had previously shared similar unverified claims about political figures. This pattern suggests a deliberate attempt to mislead the public rather than an accidental error. The video also contained misleading editing techniques, including the use of stock footage and selective audio clips, which were used to create a false narrative.
Given the lack of verified evidence supporting the claim and the presence of manipulated media, the viral post falls under the category of DISINFORMATION. It appears to be part of a broader effort to cast doubt on the integrity of public officials through fabricated or exaggerated narratives.
The Verdict
The claim that Jocelyn Benson has family ties to the Saline data center is FALSE. There is no credible evidence to suggest that Benson or her immediate family has any connection to the Saline data center or its operations. The viral post that spread this falsehood was based on unverified information, manipulated media, and a lack of factual basis.
While the claim may have been initially shared without malicious intent, the way it was disseminated—including the use of misleading visuals and selective editing—indicates a coordinated effort to deceive the public. Therefore, the claim is classified as DISINFORMATION due to its deliberate nature and the absence of verifiable facts to support it.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
