An assasination attempt on Former President Donald Trump took place on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident left an attendee dead and two others critically injured, Within minutes of the attack, pictures and videos of Trump being attacked went viral. Along with this, conspiracy theories too made its way on the internet.
The word that was trending on X after the assassination attempt was 'Staged'. Well, this very word has become synonymous with conspiracy theories on social media. It is often used to cast doubts on shooting or attacks.
The conspiracy theories began with questions like 'How did the attacker made its way to the roof? Why were they not stopped?'
Soon after this, people started calling the attack staged without any evidence. Some of the social media users said the attack looked staged. One of the internet users wrote on X, "No way they missed with that many shots and just nicked his ear? And then the fist pump and all the pictures of him with the flag. This is propaganda."
While another user said that it looks like a paintball attack. A user also said, "it sounded like a BB gun".
Yet another internet users said that the picture where Trump was showing his fist after the attack was 'too damn perfect' and described how they got the flag position perfect and everything. The user's take on the attack went viral but it was later deleted.
Other than conspiracy theories, incorrect attempts to identify the shooter also went viral and other people's reputations were being ruined. Later on, the FBI named the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was shot and killed by the Secret Service.
Also watch: Trump heads to Republican National Convention even as assassination attempt heightens security fears