Was the Trump shooting staged? ‘Stop The Dis’ brings you the facts

We’re back with a new episode of Stop The Dis, where we unpack the misinformation surrounding the recent Donald Trump shooting. If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen a flood of claims about what really went down. From doctored photos to crazy conspiracy theories, there’s a lot to discuss. So, we decided to cut through the noise and get to the facts.

What Happened on July 13th, 2024?

In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap. On July 13th, 2024, while giving a speech in Pennsylvania, former President Trump was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt. The shooter, a 20-year-old named Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight rounds, tragically killing one person and seriously injuring two others before being shot by the Secret Service. Trump escaped with only a grazed ear, a scene that appeared like something straight out of a movie. He even managed to pump his fist in the air right after the event unfolded, which, of course, quickly went viral.

Trump was released from the hospital the same day and was back in the spotlight just two days later at the Republican National Convention. But as quickly as the event happened, misinformation spread even faster. Social media was flooded with rumors, doctored images, and theories that ranged from the shooter being a secret agent to the entire scenario being staged.

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Breaking Down the ‘Fake News’

Whenever something this big happens, the internet becomes a breeding ground for wild stories and the Trump shooting is no exception. Here are some of the things that have been circulating:

Manipulated Images: One of the most viral photos shows Trump raising his fist after the shooting, with smiles digitally added to the faces of his security team. It’s as though someone wanted to turn the chaos into a meme. The original image, however, shows a much more serious scene, with the agents fully focused on their job.

Out-of-Context Photos: Another popular post showed Trump driving a golf cart with the caption, “Imagine getting shot at 7 pm and still making your 9 am tee time.” It got millions of views but the photo in question is from 2022, long before any of this transpired.

Conspiracy Theories: Here’s where it gets extra bizarre. People are claiming The Simpsons predicted the shooting, with a fake image of Trump’s character in a coffin making rounds online. Spoiler: it never aired on The Simpsons; it’s just another edited picture making the rounds.

Was Trump’s shooting staged?

In this episode of Stop The Dis, we analyze the big question: Was the shooting staged?

The Staged Theory: Some folks are claiming that Trump staged the whole thing for attention. Our take? Highly unlikely. Trump would never trust anyone to shoot his “beautiful” ear. Besides, he can’t even stand to see blood on his steak.

The Deep State Plot Theory: Others think this was a failed attempt by the deep state to take him out. Again, not likely. What happens when the United States Security establishment wants you dead? Go ask Osama Bin Laden. That was rhetorical. He’s dead. He can’t answer.

Divine Intervention: Then there’s the theory that Trump was saved by God. We can’t exactly disprove that, but that would mean God didn’t save JFK, Biggie, or Tupac. But he did save Trump and 50 Cent? We’re not buying it!

So what actually happened? The Secret Service had delegated a significant portion of their responsibilites to local police, which experts have called “a major mistake,” causing the head of the Secret Service to resign (a little too late). Political violence is already a serious issue enough without it being exacerbated by trolls and foreign governments.

Stay tuned and remember, stay informed, and Stop The Dis!