Donald Trump’s failed assassination attempt has given birth to endless conspiracy theories. The incident unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead at the scene by a member of the United States Secret Service.
The shooter’s death gave birth to several conspiracy theories, some too far-fetched to even consider. Here are three conspiracy theories about Donald Trump’s assassination attempt.
Biden orchestrated the assassination attempt
A group of conspiracy theorists believed that Joe Biden might have been behind the assassination attempt. Mike Collins, a United States representative for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, boldly made the claim.
Steve Guest took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and quoted something Joe Biden said in the days leading up to the assassination attempt. “We’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye,” Guest wrote. Collins reposted the post while alleging, “Joe Biden sent the orders.”
Joe Biden on 7.8.2024: “We’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” pic.twitter.com/K5FeeijDuC
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 13, 2024
He even went on to urge that the Republican District Attorney in Butler County “immediately file charges” against Biden for “inciting an assassination.” According to CNN, Biden made the statement on a private call to one of his private donors.
He later spoke to NBC to admit that using the word “bullseye” was a mistake. Biden noted that he merely meant to say that they should “focus” on Trump and what he is doing.
Trump’s own team was behind it
Another conspiracy theory dictated that Trump’s team staged the assassination attempt. Two women with opposing political views united in agreement to claim that it was Trump’s own team that staged the attack.
Assassination attempt on Donald Trump!
Several gun shots were fired at him in a rally at Butler, Pennsylvania
Bullet grazed his upper part of ear
Suspected Shooter Dead.
An innocent bystander was hit dead.
Congratulations “President” Trump!
Reason why PM .@narendramodi Ji… pic.twitter.com/aY5WG40Oxj
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) July 14, 2024
A user named Desirée, who is a Trump supporter, and Camille, a Democrat, both unanimously agreed when it came to the theory. “For Democrat Camille, Trump’s team orchestrated this to boost his chances of winning the election,” a BBC report read.
Desirée, a Trump supporter, believed that the attack was orchestrated by Trump’s team to frame his “enemies” in the “Deep State.”
Multiple men were mistaken for the shooter
A 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead on the spot after he fired at Trump. Crooks reportedly positioned himself on the roof of a building and used an AR-15–style rifle to fire 8 rounds. A member of the audience was killed in the firing, while two more were severely injured.
BREAKING: The gunman who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from PA. -New York Post. pic.twitter.com/m9kpkeNdbW
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) July 14, 2024
After the assassination attempt, a photo of a man dressed in all black clothes and sunglasses went viral. Social media users were quick to claim that the man was Mark Violets. The man in the photo was not Violets at all but a sports reporter named Marco Violi. Soon after, Violi spoke to Reuters while he “categorically denied any involvement in the situation.”
