6 wild conspiracy theories around Trump assassination attempt: From fake blood to smiling agents

6 wild conspiracies about Donald Trump's assassination attempt

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: The assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, July 13, has thrown US politics into disarray and sparked a frenzy of conspiracy theories online. Armchair theorists have seized on the incident, weaving elaborate and unfounded narratives that have spread rapidly. By Tuesday, July 16, these conspiracy theories had amassed over 200 million views on X, as reported by the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Amid the chaos, the main questions that netizens asked were whether Trump was actually shot or the event was staged. Were Secret Service agents smiling? Let us delve into some of the most prominent conspiracy theories and debunk them with facts and evidence.

1. Claims of 'fake' blood

During the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shots rang out, prompting Donald Trump to instinctively lift his hand to his ear and duck down before being surrounded by Secret Service agents. When he stood up again, blood was visible on his fingers, ear, and chin. This was the result of a close call where a bullet, initially aimed at his head, clipped his ear as he turned. Despite the obvious signs of an attack, some internet users suggested the entire event was a PR stunt orchestrated by the Republican Party. One Reddit user speculated, "The angle [Trump] was in makes me wonder if it’s a setup with a blood pod in his hand [that] he burst when he grabbed his ear." Another theory suggested that the shooter used a BB gun or rubber bullet to simulate a real attack without causing serious harm. However, these theories fall apart under scrutiny. The FBI is treating the incident as an assassination attempt, backed by hundreds of witnesses, including journalists and photographers. A photo even shows a live bullet passing behind Trump’s head. Additionally, an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle was recovered from the rooftop where the shooter had positioned himself. The claims of staged blood and fake bullets disregard the fatal shootings of a rally attendee and the shooter.

2. A suspicious woman in the crowd

Conspiracy theorists focused on a woman in the crowd who seemed to act unusually during the shooting, insinuating she was a plant. Dressed in sunglasses, a white shirt, and a black hat, she sat behind Trump during his speech. As gunfire erupted, she remained calm and appeared to pull out her phone to record the incident, while others around her, including Trump, dropped to the ground in fear. One social media user said, "Gunshots ring out and her first instinct is to very, very calmly pull out her phone and film the whole spectacle. Does that seem like normal behavior to you?" Another suggested that she nodded before the first shot, indicating she might be an accomplice. Despite these suspicions, the woman's behavior is not out of the ordinary in the smartphone age. She already had her phone in hand when the attack began and dropped to the floor while continuing to film, just as many others did. Her actions are consistent with the popular tendency to record live events as they happen, regardless of their nature.

3. Allegations of 'smiling' security personnel

A particularly striking image from the aftermath of the shooting showed Secret Service agents surrounding a bloodied Trump, who was pumping his fist in the air. Three of the agents appear to be smiling in the picture, leading some to question the authenticity of the event. One social media user commented, "Due to the seriousness of the situation, I would think their expressions would be grim and determined. Now, if it was a staged event, these expressions would make more sense." The Associated Press, which took the original photo, clarified that the image had been digitally altered to show the agents smiling. The unedited photo, available for comparison, clearly shows the agents with serious expressions. The manipulation of the image was probably intended to mislead and fuel conspiracy theories about the incident being staged.

4. Theories about Donald Trump's shoes

After the attack, Donald Trump was heard asking Secret Service agents to "let me get my shoes" as they tried to escort him off the stage. Video footage showed his shoes being knocked off during the commotion, with one of them being thrown off the stage by an agent to prevent any trip hazards. An insole flying out from one of the shoes led to a bizarre conspiracy theory -- Trump was desperate to retrieve his shoes to hide the fact that he uses height-boosting insoles, or "invisible lifts". This theory, however, is baseless. While Trump has stated that he is 6 feet 3 inches, insoles are commonly used for comfort and arch support. His request for his shoes is a normal reaction in a chaotic situation, driven by adrenaline and the desire to regain a sense of control.

5. Gunman Thomas Crooks' alleged female 'accomplice'

Footage from the rally showed a woman shouting at gunman Thomas Crooks, just before he opened fire. Conspiracy theorists claimed she was calling out to him, "Crooks. What are you doing? Get over here. Get down," suggesting she was an accomplice. The clip went viral, with many insisting it was evidence of her involvement. However, this theory has been debunked as an example of "auditory hallucination," where listeners hear what they expect based on context. In reality, the woman was shouting "Ross," not "Crooks." The misinterpretation is a classic example of how easily people can be misled when primed to hear specific words.

6. Accusations against Secret Service agent

Critics have scrutinized the Secret Service's competency during the shooting, with some conspiracy theorists accusing an agent of being complicit. A viral clip shows a male agent ushering people away from behind the stage moments before the attack. He appears to be in a ducked position, leading one user to claim, "That secret service agent not only knew but he ducked seconds before. What's his name? He's a traitor to the Union." This accusation is unfounded. Analysis of the footage shows the agent ducking only after the shots were fired. His actions of clearing the area were standard protocol to maintain safety and ensure no obstructions. His hunched posture was likely an attempt to stay out of camera shots during the rally, not a sign of foreknowledge or complicity, the Daily Mail reported.