[sidereal1]

It has been conclusively ruled out. At some point we don't need to keep checking if the Earth is round because no amount of research and evidence will convince some folks. This isn't a science problem, it's a propaganda problem.

[potatopan]

Yes, absolutely, but not just a simple propaganda problem. The US is fully engaged in the Propaganda tactics Orwell summarizes from the Franco era. The purpose of the outlandish claims is not to trick a moron, it is to get people to agree to things they know are untrue to show their allegiance to power is more important to them than truth or their own reason.