Very fair. I added this bit of nuance in a later comment in this thread.

Right, so the people who start the spread are providing disinformation. Those who aren't clever enough to figure out that they're being lied to then spread that same information and it becomes misinformation (because the intent is not to cause harm). My original definition lacked nuance. I hope this clears up why the AG uses both terms in the quotes.

I mean, the article title literally says "disinformation." The AG said "disinformation." So you aren't actually in disagreement with the AG.

Regarding informing the public, a lot of these disinformation campaigns have already poisoned the well so much that even trying to get people to pay more attention to sources is an uphill battle because they now only believe the disinformation sources. If you try to offer a counterclaim, even with evidence, they will deny the veracity of even the most well documented information. That's why the AG is asking for help. We know that social media companies actually push dis- and misinformation because it drives engagement. So it isn't even that we need to quash the information, we simply need social media companies to stop actively participating in its spread. Their inaction would actually be more beneficial than what they are currently doing.

Edit: made a whoops, now have removed it. (I said "only says" which was not accurate, and I don't know how to add strikethrough on mobile.)

Misinformation is wrong. It may be a joke or a prank or even just someone being ignorant and misunderstanding a topic then spreading their misunderstanding. It can still be harmful to the democratic process, but it could also be a quote misattributed to Mark Twain.

Disinformation is intentionally wrong and is created and disseminated with the intent to deceive and/or harm. This is what the AG is warning about. It is always malicious and is detrimental to democracy. One example would be the idea that the 2020 election was rigged (it wasn't, and any information to the contrary is a lie: ie. It is disinformation).

Edit: once someone unknowingly spreads disinformation, it becomes misinformation. Should have included nuance in the first place.

There's a gulf between misinformation and disinformation. Don't conflate the two.