(crowd muttering) - [Narrator] In the immediate aftermath of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, misinformation and conspiracy theories spread rapidly online. It took authorities roughly eight hours to publicly confirm the identity of the gunman because he was not carrying ID. This allowed ample time for unfounded theories about the gunman's identity to spread widely.
As reports of the shooter's name began to surface and the FBI confirmed his identity as Thomas Matthew Crooks, many on social media began posting a photo of someone they thought was the shooter, but this image was incorrect. The person who was actually in the photos responded on X posing as the real shooter and mocking those who shared images of him. - My name is Thomas Matthew Crooks.
I hate Republicans, I hate Trump. And guess what? You got the wrong guy.
- [Narrator] Still, screenshots and edited clips of the video spread widely as though it were a message from the real shooter. Another widespread conspiracy theory shared by would-be internet sleuths claimed that a dark spot on Trump's chest in a photo was proof he had been shot in the chest and had been saved by a bulletproof vest. Photos of the same moment show there is no bullet hole in his jacket.
Trump later released a statement saying he was shot in the ear. This unfounded theory was viewed millions of times after being shared by several popular accounts. - When you're ready, on you!
- Ready. - Move! - Up.
- [Narrator] This same moment also fueled conspiracy theories that the shooting was staged. In one post viewed millions of times, an X user claimed if there were actual danger, the Secret Service would not have allowed Trump to remain a target after shots were fired. Former Secret Service agents the Journal spoke to said the agents around the former president were acting in a way that was consistent with the agency's protocol.
- Hold that to your head, you're bloody. (crowd murmuring) - [Narrator] They moved quickly to surround him and then worked together effectively to move him from the stage once it was safe to do so. (crowd murmuring) The rush to establish a motive for the shooting also led to viral misinformation.
X users claimed the video of a man shouting hateful comments about Republicans was of the shooter. - Republican throats, slash fascist throats! - [Narrator] In reality, the video is of an Arizona State University student reacting to Trump's acquittal after his impeachment trial in 2020.
Crooks was still in high school at the time in Pennsylvania. - Thomas Crooks. - This video of Bethel Park High School's commencement ceremony shows him graduating in 2022.
X did not respond to a request for comment. Some of the original posts no longer appear on the platform, and others have been tagged with community notes from other X users correcting the posts. But misinformation continues to spread rapidly.
