Derailed and Denaturalized: The Case of East Palestine, Ohio

This study analyzes public discourse on the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment through online interactions in a community Facebook group. Using a critical discourse analysis framework, we explore how residents framed the disaster, engaged with competing narratives, and navigated scientific and political information. Our findings challenge the assumptions of moral panic and risk society perspectives, which often depict the public as irrational or apathetic. While conspiracy theories appeared, they were not dominant; instead, discourse centered on information sharing, community support, and credible inquiry. Contrary to predictions of public resignation, residents actively participated in citizen science and demanded accountability. However, political alienation—driven by perceived elite indifference and corporate influence—shaped discourse, fueling frustration and distrust. These findings highlight the public’s capacity for reasoned engagement while emphasizing the challenges posed by declining trust in institutions. A nuanced approach is needed to understand claims-making processes in crisis communication.