Staff Reports
A recent spate of conspiracy theories has erupted around the unfortunate shooting of former President Donald Trump. The bullet that grazed his ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 has somehow given rise to an internet concoction suggesting that the CIA was involved. Yes, the same CIA that has historically been tied to wild stories involving spies, intrigue, and now, apparently, attempts on the life of a former president.
According to reports, some individuals online have suggested that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who took the ill-fated shot at Trump, may have been a CIA asset, allegedly groomed through the infamous MKUltra program. This was supposedly a mind-manipulation initiative from the ’50s and ’60s that aimed to create a cadre of brainwashed operatives. While this all sounds like it is straight out of a James Bond flick, this isn’t a script—it’s web chatter fueled by questionable logic and a sprinkle of paranoia.
CIA Addresses #MKUltra Claims Regarding Trump Shooting@CIA, now do Lee Harvey Oswald.
We're listening.
Release ALL the files!via @WestJournalism https://t.co/4qMbmpK363
— Jaximus Bastione (@JaximusBastione) July 29, 2024
The CIA is reportedly waving off this theory like an overzealous parent dismissing a child’s imaginary monster. Their response has emphasized that they had no ties to Crooks, categorizing the conspiracy theories as “utterly false, absurd, and damaging.” Of course, one must wonder why the CIA feels the need to engage at all when internet conspiracies can be so easily dismissed on social media. Perhaps they recognized that when it comes to Trump, nonsense tends to travel faster than a bullet.
Adding fuel to the fire, outlets like Gizmodo have seized this opportunity to launch a full-frontal assault on Trump supporters, claiming such conspiracy theories represent the very essence of their “brand.” They’ve labeled supporters as “some of the dumbest people on the planet,” which sounds like standard fare from those who have long been residing in their ivory towers of elite intellect. What these outlets seem to forget is that a solid *majority* of Trump supporters either disavow these theories or have never even heard of them. A 2021 poll clearly demonstrated that only 4 percent of Trump voters had a favorable view of QAnon, leaving a considerable populace either uncertain or uninterested.
Yet, when it comes to the left-wing media, the thirst for sensationalism leads to spotlighting the most ludicrous of conspiracy theories. This trend has not only prevailed but has transformed phenomena like the increasingly dubious MKUltra theory into a narrative thrust into the mainstream—allegedly to smear Trump and his dedicated supporters by association. And in the eyes of such outlets, everything is fair game, especially if it dilutes the reputation of those who dare to stray from the leftist fold.
So, while these charming conspiracy theories flit about the internet, it’s essential to detect the ulterior motives behind them. The establishment media exhibits a penchant for reviving fringe ideas, hoping perhaps to discredit those who don’t align with their elite agenda. In the end, one has to ask: what’s next—pulling CIA operatives out of Hollywood movies and featuring them in supposedly current events? This entire saga reveals that when it comes to spinning tales, the left doesn’t need the help of historical espionage agencies; they can create their own drama—one conspiracy at a time.
