Newsroom
In a bold move, former President Donald Trump's new campaign ad includes dramatic moments from his recent assassination attempt, triggering a wave of conspiracy theories across social media platforms. This ad, intended to rally support and demonstrate his resilience, has instead ignited a storm of controversy and speculation.
Brilliant new Trump ad narrated by Sylvester "Rocky" Stallone pic.twitter.com/69F5q51pHn
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) July 15, 2024
Within minutes of the assassination attempt news breaking, the word “staged” began trending on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This term, often associated with conspiracy theories, has now become central to a fierce debate gripping both ends of the political spectrum.
The incident, which unfolded in real time, naturally became a breeding ground for rumors and conspiracy theories, reminiscent of the lingering doubts surrounding John F. Kennedy’s assassination. However, the immediacy and accessibility of social media have amplified these speculations like never before.
Republicans, including some of Trump’s staunchest supporters, have fueled the fire by suggesting the attack was an inside job orchestrated to discredit the former president. Questions have arisen regarding alleged security failures, such as how the attacker managed to reach the rooftop and why preventive measures seemingly failed.
In contrast, many Democrats have taken to social media, positing that the attempt was a staged event designed to garner sympathy for Trump and reinvigorate his campaign. A widely circulated post on X, which gained over a million views, claimed, “Nobody in the crowd is running or panicking. Nobody in the crowd heard an actual gun. I don’t trust it. I don’t trust him.”
The conspiracy theories were further fueled by a striking photograph captured by Associated Press chief photographer Evan Vucci, depicting Trump with a raised fist, blood on his face and ear, against the backdrop of the American flag. While some hailed the image as iconic, others deemed it “too perfect,” suggesting it was part of an elaborate setup. A popular YouTube account echoed this sentiment, noting the precise positioning of the flag and the composition of the shot, though the post was later deleted after the author admitted they were wrong.
As the video footage from the rally circulated, showing Trump’s immediate reaction to the shots and the subsequent panic, many of the initial conspiracy posts were debunked. However, the damage had been done, with the term “staged” becoming a rallying cry for both sides of the debate.
“Staged to get sympathy? You can’t trust these people with anything,” one left-leaning commentator wrote on X, encapsulating the distrust that has permeated the discussion. These posts, often from users with substantial followings, have achieved significant reach, spreading their theories to a broader audience.
The new campaign ad, while aiming to depict Trump as a figure of strength and endurance, has inadvertently highlighted the deep divisions and rampant conspiracy culture in today’s political landscape. The assassination attempt, now a pivotal moment in Trump's campaign narrative, continues to be a contentious topic, with no signs of the debate abating anytime soon.
[With information from the BBC]
