OP has a good title, but muddles the thesis by conflating disaster related rioting with political rioting. There were predictions of post election rioting on this forum and in the news, as there were predictions that the electoral college results would be close. Neither event came to pass. But talking about close elections and riots promote media viewership. and close election worries encourage voters to turn out and vote. It appears that the media and politicos say what is in their best interest, rather than adhere to a slavish devotion to truth.

I am shocked. Shocked I tell you...

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and remember that the media are involved in entertainment, not education, which blurs the distinction between the six o'clock news and roadrunner cartoons.