Was the alleged assassination attempt on Trump staged? Conspiracy theorists think so

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Published Jul 15, 2024 at 01:18 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

59654

On Saturday 13 July 2024, former US President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump sustained a bullet wound to his ear during the attack, which also resulted in the deaths of a spectator and the gunman, and left two others critically injured.

https://www.tiktok.com/@davinbrunson/video/7391517798138154271
https://www.tiktok.com/@jasminesgarden23/video/7391289522929061150

The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired multiple shots from an elevated position on a factory roof about 150 metres from where Trump was speaking. Crooks, a registered Republican, was shot dead by security forces at the scene.

In a dramatic display, Trump was seen ducking to the ground amid the gunfire and was quickly shielded by Secret Service agents. However, despite his injury, Trump pumped his fist in the air as he was escorted offstage to a waiting armoured vehicle, with the crowd chanting “USA” and “fight.”

https://twitter.com/vssharma556/status/1812449132037939442?s=46&t=6org1vyujAbFGpZ5VPWM9Q

The crowd’s reaction struck many observers as bizarre, with some users on X questioning the surreal nature of the scene. One user commented: “The whole thing was bizarre. The people witnessing the shooting chanting ‘USA, USA, USA’ immediately after? The Trump fist pumps yelling ‘FIGHT’? Like it’s the most normal thing on a Saturday afternoon?”

https://twitter.com/strangesword69/status/1812267930153021639?s=46&t=6org1vyujAbFGpZ5VPWM9Q

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump thanked supporters for their thoughts and prayers, stating: “It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.” He expressed resilience and defiance and extended his condolences to the other victims and their families.

Following the incident, social media platforms, particularly X, saw a surge in conspiracy theories. Users began posting videos of the shooting and speculating about the event. Theories ranged from alleged security failures to claims that the attack was staged.

https://twitter.com/lisa_liberal/status/1812546095819678057?s=46&t=6org1vyujAbFGpZ5VPWM9Q
@positivityandpolitics

Eyewitness says law enforcement and secret service were slow to respond. #president #trump #politicaltiktok

♬ original sound - pattipolitics🌻

Some users also questioned how Crooks managed to reach the roof without getting noticed, and why he wasn’t stopped sooner.

However, it’s been reported that the FBI is currently investigating the incident as a possible domestic terrorism attack and assassination attempt. Federal agents are working to uncover a motive and have executed several warrants, seizing Crooks’ devices and examining his communications prior to the rally. Despite these efforts, details about Crooks’ motivations and the exact circumstances leading to the attack remain limited at this time.

President Joe Biden, who spoke with Trump following the attack, condemned the shooting, declaring: “There is no place in America for this kind of violence.”

As the investigation unfolds, the proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories persists.

The prevailing questions on social media and in public discourse are: ‘How will this event reshape the political landscape leading up to the next election?’ and ‘What implications does this hold for Trump’s campaign?’ Well, as Trump conveyed to The New York Post when reflecting on the aftermath: “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen. They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture.”

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

364 days away from election day, Trump leads the 2024 US presidential election polls 

By Alma Fabiani

Anonymous links Trump and Naomi Campbell to Epstein and threatens Minneapolis police

By Abby Amoakuh

Barron Trump is being groomed to take over the Trump empire and the graduation fuss proves it

By Abby Amoakuh

Unpacking the many controversies of Disney’s live action Snow White and its lead Rachel Zegler

By Charlie Sawyer

BrewDog co-founder James Watt’s problematic past resurfaces amid work/life balance controversy

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Is democracy for sale? How Donald Trump plans to use election betting to declare early victory

By Abby Amoakuh

Abortion pill bans are back on the table as Donald Trump exposes allegiance to Project 2025

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

South Carolina death row inmate who requested firing squad execution scheduled for 1 November

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Study reveals alarming suicide rates among female doctors linked to misogyny and harassment

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024 has haters and fans alike losing their mind, here’s why

By Charlie Sawyer

What is gay face? YouTubers claim a person’s sexuality can be identified by facial features

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Netflix’s Monster season 2 tackles one of the most gruesome murder cases in history

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Strava mule reveals shocking reason why Strava users are paying him to run for them

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

German company launches first digital condom aiming to block non-consensual recording during sex?

By Louis Shankar

BlueSky sees 300% surge in users after 2024 US presidential election

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Who is Chloe Ayling? BBC drama reveals the truth about the glamour model’s kidnapping

By Charlie Sawyer

Jenna Ortega seriously shades Johnny Depp in recent viral interview

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

I just found out that Betty Boop isn’t actually white, and I’m not coping well

By Charlie Sawyer

With the West turning a blind eye to the Taliban’s brutal oppression, Afghan women show their defiance

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Children as young as eight are strip-searched every 14 hours by police in England and Wales