alternative fact

• alt-fact[1]

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alternative fact (plural alternative facts)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see alternative,‎ fact.
2. (politics, media) Something presented as a fact for reasons of political expediency; a fiction, a falsehood, a lie. [since the late 2010s]
   • 2014 June 2, Erica Buist, “Seven key facts about the caxirola”, in The Guardian:

     But we do it because we believe in the power of truthful, in-depth reporting, especially in the face of fake news and 'alternative facts.'

   • 2017 February 25, R. E. Guyson Mayers, “A GUY"S VIEW: Season of discontent”, in Barbados Advocate:

     They are creating their own facts, but one need not be in Government to create alternative facts.

   • 2017 March 3, “Private Sydney: Celebrities quick to present their own 'alternative facts'”, in The Sydney Morning Herald:

     According to Donald Trump we live in an era of "fake news" where his "alternative facts" should be swallowed whole, and without scrutiny.

   • 2017 March 3, Chantal Hébert, “It's not just Donald Trump who shifts the truth, Canada's politicians have been using alternative facts for years”, in Toronto Star:

     Prime ministers have not been immune to spreading alternative facts.

   Synonym: counterknowledge

This term gained prominence after it was used by Kellyanne Conway in January 2017 and widely repeated in the US media.[2][3][4]

• post-truth

• Merriam-Webster, "Conway: 'Alternative Facts'" (22 January 2017)
• alternative fact on Wikipedia.Wikipedia