Social media is ablaze with conspiracy theories after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, with some users claiming the incident was a PR stunt.
On July 13, during an outdoor event in Butler, former President Trump, aged 78, was targeted by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired several shots. One bullet reportedly grazed Trump’s ear, leading to significant bleeding, as he himself posted on Truth Social.
Secret Service agents swiftly intervened, evacuating Trump from the scene after he defiantly fist-pumped the air, a gesture that fueled further speculation about the authenticity of the attack.
He was promptly hospitalized and later discharged, returning to his home in New Jersey, according to FBI reports.
The next day, authorities confirmed that Crooks, who was killed during the incident, had fired five shots. They stated, “US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated.”
Various witnesses have since shared their experiences, with one man alerting police to the presence of a shooter near the rally, and a woman suggesting Trump narrowly escaped more serious harm by moving his head.
The FBI revealed that the attack resulted in one fatality and two critically injured bystanders, with motives still under investigation.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, debate rages. Skeptics question the reality of the incident, citing the lack of blood on Trump’s clothes and the improbability of his immediate reaction post-shooting as evidence of staging.
Conversely, supporters argue that the nature of the wound and Trump’s security detail make staging unlikely. One user stated, “Donald Trump would be dead by now. That slight turn saved him.”
Another dismissed the staging theory: “It wasn’t staged. Stop it. #DonaldTrump.”
“For those saying it was staged for PR. Nobody would ever make a fake attempt to hit somebody’s ear. It’s too close,” another supporter asserted, emphasizing the danger involved.
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, urging a focus on political civility and expressing relief that Trump was not gravely injured. He wrote to his 131.7 million X followers: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
