# I pit "the shooting was staged" conspiracy theorists **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 26, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570 "2026-04-26T15:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/121 "2026-04-29T08:11:40Z")
A shooting where nobody made it into the room or even got substantially injured seems like a pretty piss-poor “distraction.” I doubt anybody outside of news junkies will remember it happened by the end of the week. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/122 "2026-04-29T08:13:23Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > I doubt anybody outside of news junkies will remember it happened by the end of the week. Possibly not, but it is something that the maladministration can keep dragging up every time they need a distraction for their latest crime or act of incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/123 "2026-04-29T08:50:58Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > You mean, the use of a common idiom used metaphorically less than a day before the same common phrase could be used literally? Coincidence. The alternative (Leavitt knew there would be gunshots and just couldn’t help blurting that out, but in a context where it clearly meant the metaphorical usage) is silly. While the Trump administration is trying to ruin Kimmel for making a joke _three days before the event_ why the double standard giving Leavitt a pass for using a metaphor mere hours before the event? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/124 "2026-04-29T09:29:32Z")
I think that calling it a “conspiracy theory” is overstating it, since most of the people who say it was faked that I’ve heard from don’t really have much in the way of a _theory_. It’s more a matter “it’s Trump, so it’s a lie”. Especially from non-Americans, who seem to think Americans are naive to _not_ assume it was faked. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/125 "2026-04-29T10:46:52Z")
I was actually underwhelmed when I saw the headlines. Another Trump shitstorm, as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/126 "2026-04-29T15:04:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > While the Trump administration is trying to ruin Kimmel for making a joke _three days before the event_ why the double standard giving Leavitt a pass for using a metaphor mere hours before the event?. Because double standards/Hypocrisy is pretty much the standard operating procedure for this administration; It’s just accepted and repeated. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/127 "2026-04-29T15:30:04Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Because double standards/Hypocrisy is pretty much the standard operating procedure for this administration; It’s just accepted and repeated. If not for double standards this administration wouldn’t have any standards at all! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/128 "2026-04-29T15:39:00Z")
No double standard: they are ridiculous, too, in the same way. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/129 "2026-04-29T20:46:03Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I read an op-ed thing on FB that, whilst it wasn’t staged _as such_ the event wasn’t ‘prevented’. Apparently the family of the shooter had alerted their local LEO about his state of mind, his guns, his intentions via the ‘manifesto’ but still the Hilton Hotel and/or the President’s minders didn’t take it at all seriously. I saw that too, but in fact the shooter’s brother didn’t notify anyone until 2 hours after it had happened. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/130 "2026-04-29T22:03:28Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I read an op-ed thing on FB There you go - solid proof of staging we ignore at our peril. 😬 Cole sent family his “manifesto” 10 minutes before his attack. Not much time given to raise the alarm. More on conspira-loons: > **[False flag conspiracy theories swirl around White House Correspondents'...](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/conspiracy-theories-staged-white-house-correspondents-dinner-rcna342212)** > > Baseless claims that the incident was staged swirled almost immediately. By the next day, the idea had spread across social media. Even Trump noted the speed. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/131 "2026-04-30T02:19:40Z")
Speaking of conspiracy theories, my pet Trump cultist had this to say about the royal visit: ‘Are you sure that is the real Charles 😲 he doesn’t look or act quite as hideous as the real one, imo’ 😵‍💫 So for those keeping track, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden are all dead, Barack Obama was born in Africa and is a secret Muslim, Michelle Obama is a man, and now, apparently, King Charles isn’t really King Charles. ---
**Author:** ![doomtastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@doomtastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doomtastic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/132 "2026-04-30T03:43:27Z")
Even if his brother did report it before hand, there are _numerous_ instances where intelligence about a threat is ignored or not acted upon in time. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a backlog of such threats to investigate when it comes to our lovable, non-polarizing President… ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/133 "2026-04-30T16:32:54Z")
Wow, I mean Wow. I can’t even think of anything to say about that. Maybe nuttier than the average trumper? Maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/134 "2026-04-30T22:14:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > …my pet Trump cultist… Seen this person referenced before. Curious - is this a relative or close friend / associate? Asking because if not, wondering why such a person would be given the time of day. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/135 "2026-04-30T22:29:14Z")
I think she’s a cousin by marriage to a friend of mine. Met her once in the’80s. I’m just morbidly curious what she’ll say next. Waiting to see what happens when her Messiah falls. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/136 "2026-05-01T01:07:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I think she’s a cousin by marriage to a friend of mine. I’d say 25% of my Facebook “friends” are people I’m vaguely related to in some way but not quite sure how; I don’t actually know them otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/137 "2026-05-01T09:28:21Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Trump and the people around him would stage something like this in a minute if they thought it would help them. Its just absolutely none of the incompetent fascist lackeys around Trump have the skills required to pull off something like this and not have it discovered in 10 seconds fla If only Stanley Kubrick were still around. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/138 "2026-05-01T11:40:32Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > If only Stanley Kubrick were still around This administration would get Uwe Boll ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/140 "2026-05-02T02:35:24Z")
> [@Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine/1028179/313): > > some notes from Maine… How is this related to the WHCD incident? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570/141 "2026-05-02T03:01:37Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > How is this related to the WHCD incident?- I’m guessing it was intended for a different thread, maybe [Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine/1028179) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570.md?page=8)