Astroturfing means pretending that there is a "grass-roots" movement to support a policy, when there isn't really one (astroturf is artificial grass, named after the surface used in the Astrodome in Houston); it's a coordinated ploy by a small group to plant stories in the media to suggest a larger appeal than really exists.
On the one hand, it's a form of gaslighting that tries to get you to deny your own perceptions, and on the other hand it is faking a groundswell of support that isn't really there.
In that sense, astroturfing is a tool that supports gaslighting, because it is fake evidence to the contrary of what you know to be true.
-PJ
The first time I heard astroturf used in a context other than sports fields was when the Tea Party movement started. We called it a “grass roots” movement — which it was. Then some jerk like Maxine or Pelosi tried to demean it by calling it “astroturf”. (Aren’t they just so SO clever? Blecccch!)
That’s a good point. Astroturfing is a tactic deliberately used to do just that, cause demoralization and psychic pain by lies intended to cause that effect.
Very good point, PJT.