'Why MAGA has developed conspiracy theories about the assassination attempt on Trump'

(MS NOW) "Over the weekend, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., published multiple posts on X questioning authorities’ accounts of the July 2024 attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania."

"Greene said Trump won’t 'release the information' about the would-be assassin, Thomas Crooks, and accused the president of a 'cover up.' She suggested without evidence that Crooks acted in concert with others who have yet to be identified, and asked why Trump has failed to crack down on them. She boosted a post by a delegate from Texas during the 2024 Republican National Convention, who put scare quotes around the term 'assassination attempt' when describing her questions about what happened in Butler that summer day and described his 'fight, fight, fight' photo as suspiciously polished."

"Greene is, of course, a seasoned conspiracy theorist, so her posts aren’t exactly surprising. But what’s striking is how she’s advancing a trend: right-wing critics of Trump floating unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about the Butler assassination attempt — sometimes suggesting that Trump himself may have staged the event. As Trump alienates elements of his right-wing base, he’s at risk of being engulfed by the kind of conspiratorial worldview he once commanded to his own advantage."

"Several other right-leaning commentators and political figures have floated conspiracy theories about Butler. Tim Dillon, a comedian and podcaster who has supported Trump and helped build support for him among young men, said earlier in April, 'I think [Trump] should admit' that he staged his own assassination attempt. In November, Tucker Carlson said the 'FBI lied' about Crooks’ online footprint."

Continued at link:

https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-butler-assassination-attempt-conspiracy-greene