- Most people say the rally attack was part of a conspiracy, or that they’re not sure
- Only a third of voters accept the narrative that Thomas Crooks acted alone
- READ MORE: Video shows eerie figure running across rooftop before shots fired
In the official version of events, Thomas Crooks acted alone when he climbed a rooftop and shot at Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring the former president.
The trouble is, Americans are not buying the official narrative.
A DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll shows that voters by a wide margin say Crooks, 20, was not operating solo at the attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, and was part of a bigger conspiracy.
A staggering 67 percent of respondents said they believed the shooting was part of a plot, or that they were not sure exactly what happened on July 13.
More than a quarter of respondents also said a second shooter took a crack at Trump.
The nationwide survey of nearly 1,500 adults earlier this month shows how Americans increasingly doubt official narratives and subscribe to alternate versions of reality, which spread fast on social media.
Concerns about the shooting are doubtless heightened by the failure of the Secret Service to properly protect Trump, including by not securing a rooftop so close to his speaking podium.
Crooks, a nursing home aide, tried to assassinate the 78-year-old by firing an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle from a rooftop, 150 yards from his stage.
Trump’s right ear was wounded in the gunfire, and a 50-year-old man was killed. Two other spectators were critically wounded.
Crooks, a registered Republican, was shot and killed at the scene by a Secret Service sniper.
He left few clues about his beliefs or what motivated him to open fire at the rally.
Within minutes of the shooting, social media users were questioning what had taken place and putting forward their own theories.
Actress Amanda Seales was among those to suggest that Trump’s campaign team staged the attack, so the candidate could appear triumphant and win more votes in November’s elections.
‘That sh** was more staged than a Tyler Perry production,’ said Seales, the star of Insecure.
The firing noises sounded more like ‘popcorn,’ she added, and the blood trickling across Trump’s face was from ‘pellets’ used by movie make-up artists.
Meanwhile, on the political right, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones pushed the unfounded claim that the attack was a ‘deep state’ assassination attempt and a ‘failed coup.’
That theory was amplified in Proud Boys channels and has gained traction over the subsequent weeks.
Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican, and other GOP members have suggested that the shooting was part of a coordinated campaign by Democrats or shadowy government actors to try to stop Trump from reclaiming the White House.
Online theorists have claimed Crooks wasn’t the sole shooter, but that there was a second gunman near the rally venue.
Some claimed there was another person atop a water tower.
Other theorists have focussed on an unidentified woman in the crowd — wearing sunglasses, a white shirt and a black hat — appearing calm and collected as shots rang out at the rally.
Actress Amanda Seales posted a video online claiming the attempted assassination of Donald Trump that killed one man and injured others was staged.
While everyone else — including Trump — ducked down to the ground, in fear for their lives, the woman could be seen pulling out her phone and starting to film the event.
Many of the claims about the shooting emerged first on fringe social media platforms like 4chan before migrating to larger sites like X or TikTok, where they were seen by far more people.
Many of those rumors may contain exaggerations, missing context or outright falsehoods that evolve into conspiracy theories.
The misleading information is then amplified by online trolls, politicians, influencers, and people trying to hawk wares tied to the assassination attempt.
With few safeguards to stop bad information online, such claims can quickly spread, impacting the upcoming election and even persisting for years to come.
Congressional leaders have set up a bipartisan task force to probe the attack, and some top Republican lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have urged their colleagues to ‘turn the rhetoric down.’
Johnson says he blames the shooting on ineptitude and not any coordinated effort to kill Trump.
Our survey shows that most Americans doubt or question the official narrative.
Nearly half of respondents — 45 percent — say Crooks was not working alone, and that others were involved in a plot.
Just 33 percent said Crooks was working solo, and 22 percent said they were not sure.
That shockingly amounts to more than two thirds of Americans not accepting law enforcement’s version of events.
Younger Americans and Republicans were more likely than others to suspect a conspiracy.
In a separate question, some 27 percent of voters said they thought a second shooter was involved in the attack.
Another 46 percent said this was not the case, and 27 percent said they were not sure.
The survey has a +/-2.7 percent error margin. It was carried out in early August by TIPP, which is noted for the accuracy of its polls.
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. Iran Says It Does Not Want Regional Escalation But Must ‘Punish’ Israel – Al Arabiya
Iran signaled it wants to avoid all-out war with Israel, even as it threatened to retaliate for last week’s assassination of a leading Hamas figure in its capital.
Tehran, which had already vowed revenge for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, said it aimed to deter Israel from repeating similar moves. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being responsible.
“Reinforcing stability and security in the region will be achieved by punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against Israel and its adventurism,” a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry told reporters.
2. Gaza Must Be Under Control Of Legitimate Palestinian Authorities: President Abbas – Al Arabiya
The Gaza Strip must be transferred to the control of legitimate Palestinian authorities, and Israeli plans for temporary control of the enclave are unacceptable, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Russia’s RIA news agency in remarks published.
“Gaza must be governed under the auspices of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) and the legitimate Palestinian government,” Abbas told the state RIA agency in an interview.
3. Strong Iran Ties Emerge As Factor In Hamas Leader Choice, Analysts Say – Reuters
In choosing its next leader, Hamas will be looking for a candidate who can safeguard deep ties with Tehran at a time when Iranian support will be more important than ever to help the Palestinian group recover after the Gaza war, analysts say.
Iran’s support will be doubly important to Hamas as it seeks to rebuild once the guns fall silent in Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardment since the group ignited war by attacking Israel on Oct. 7. This consideration seems likely to boost the prospects of candidates deemed closer to Tehran.
4. U.N. Relief Agency Staffers ‘May Have Been Involved’ In Oct. 7 Attack On Israel – UPI
The United Nations announced that nine staff members working for its Palestine U.N. Relief and Works Agency will be fired after an investigation revealed they may have been involved in last year’s Hamas-led attacks on Israel.
The investigation by the U.N. Office of Oversight Services found several UNRWA personnel allegedly took part in the Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people, with another 250 taken hostage in Gaza.
5. Turkey To Submit Bid To Join South Africa ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel – Al Jazeera
Turkey says it will formally submit its declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel over the war on Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced while addressing a news conference in Cairo.
The ICJ has ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the United Nations Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.
6. Top Russian Security Official Holds Talks In Iran Amid Middle East Tension – Reuters
A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian leaders, including the president and top security officials, as the Islamic Republic weighs its response to the killing of a Hamas leader.
Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s security council, was shown by Russia’s Zvezda television station meeting Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander who serves as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
7. Russia Suspected Ukrainian Attack On Navy Day Parade, Contacted U.S. Over Concerns: TV – Reuters
Russia had suspicions that Ukraine planned to attack Russia during the Navy Day parade, which was attended by President Vladimir Putin last month, and Moscow contacted Washington about its concerns, Russian state television reported.
Russian television said the details were a state secret and provided no further details. Ukraine’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.
8. French Imports Of Russia’s LNG Surge – A.P.
Shipments of Russian liquified natural gas to France more than doubled in the first half of this year, according to new analyses of trade data. This comes as Europe has tried to pull back from energy purchases that help finance the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Europe has restricted oil imports from Russia, but natural gas is still allowed. While companies in France are importing the most, one analysis found that EU countries overall imported 7% more Russian LNG, natural gas that has been chilled and liquified for easier ocean transport, in the first half of this year compared to the same period a year ago.
9. EU Says TikTok Agrees To Permanently Remove ‘TikTok Lite’ Rewards Program – UPI
The European Commission announced on Monday that TikTok has agreed to permanently remove TikTok Lite Rewards in a binding commitment.
The commission said the program, which was originally launched in France and Spain, will be removed permanently, and TikTok will not create another program to circumvent the decision. TikTok paused the TikTok Lite program in April after the commission inquired.
10. Japan’s Benchmark Nikkei 225 Index Soars More Than 10% After Plunging A Day Earlier – AP
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 share index soared as much as 10.7% early Tuesday, a day after it plunged the most in 37 years.
The index gave up some of those gains as it wavered throughout the day but closed 10.2% higher at 34,675.46. Other Asian markets also were higher after sharp losses on Wall Street that were dramatic but not on the same scale as Monday’s 12.4% nosedive in Tokyo.
Many shares rose by double-digit percentages similar to their losses a day before, with automaker Toyota Motor Corp. rocketed 12.8%.
11. Investors Are Unwinding The Biggest ‘Carry Trade’ The World Has Ever Seen, SocGen Strategist Says – CNBC
A rapid unloading of “carry trades” extended on Monday, with market participants seeking to roll back on the popular trading strategy amid a dramatic global sell-off in risk assets.
Carry trades refer to operations wherein an investor borrows in a currency with low interest rates and reinvests the proceeds in higher-yielding assets elsewhere.
“You can’t unwind the biggest carry trade the world has ever seen without breaking a few heads. That is the impression markets give us this morning,” Kit Juckes, chief foreign exchange strategist at Societe Generale, said in a research note published Monday.
12. North Korea Deploys 250 Missile Launchers To Border – AFP
North Korea has deployed 250 ballistic missile launchers to its southern border, with leader Kim Jong Un describing the weapons as a “powerful treasured sword” to defend its sovereignty, state media said.
The olive-green mobile launchers were displayed during a special “transferring” ceremony in the capital, Pyongyang, on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. Kim was quoted as saying in a speech that the missile launchers were an “up-to-date tactical attack weapon.”
13. Hiroshima Remembers Victims Of U.S. Nuclear Attack As ‘Global Tragedies’ Unfold – AFP
The mayor of Hiroshima said that wars in Ukraine and Gaza were deepening fear and distrust worldwide on the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the Japanese city.
Kazumi Matsui made a somber speech at a memorial event to commemorate the victims of the U.S. nuclear attack on August 6, 1945, that left around 140,000 people dead.
14. Year After Coup, U.S. Finishes Withdrawal From Key Military Base In Niger – UPI
The United States announced that it has completed the withdrawal of forces and assets from a key U.S.-built military base in Niger following last year’s coup.
The move comes as threats of extremism rise, and the African nation is seen to be inching closer diplomatically to Russia. U.S. forces originally were slated to withdraw from Niger by mid-September.
15. Bangladesh Army Announces Interim Government After PM Sheikh Hasina Flees – A Jazeera
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country following weeks of deadly demonstrations against her government.
The removal of Hasina followed weeks of deadly protests and appeared to have averted the threat of further bloodshed. The focus now moves to who will control the South Asian country. In an address to the nation, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that an interim government will now run Bangladesh and called for calm.
16. Elon Musk Reveals 7 Reasons Why He’s Voting for Donald Trump – X
Musk seeks a leader “who is strong and courageous to represent the country.
- Musk wants “a secure border. We don’t have a secure border.”
- He wants someone who can deliver “safe and clean cities.”
- Musk Thinks Trump is the better candidate to reduce spending. He’s concerned about this issue because “we’re currently spending at a rate that is bankrupting the country.
17. It Really Hurts To Think, New Study Concludes – UPI Health
According to new research published by the American Psychological Association, mental exertion leads to irritation, frustration, or other negative feelings in many situations, supporting the concept that it hurts to think.
The study, conducted by Radboud University in the Netherlands, appeared in the association’s monthly journal, Psychological Bulletin.
Republished with permission from TIPP Insights
