DU, can I please ask, stop 🛑 with the conspiracies?

[underpants]

We are WAY better than that.


Just…just. Let’s find out what actually happened and not act flippantly

Please.

[Sympthsical]

1. It's gotten out of hand

It's becoming a main component of the site.

Going to need dental work from the cringe at this rate.

Social media were a mistake.

[DenaliDemocrat]

95. Used to be a violation of terms of service

Lots of stuff changed around here.

[Sympthsical]

97. When kooky becomes normal

Calling out kooky doesn't do anything anymore.

[Kid Berwyn]

98. Like Uncle Sam protecting Epstein.

Since the times of Ronald Reagan. Fact.

[Sympthsical]

109. Has nothing to do with what I said

[Kid Berwyn]

111. You consider Trump staging an assassination attempt "kooky"...

I find it odd, especially considering it happened in front of the White House press corps who’d been previously alerted to shots flying. Whatever.

Most importantly: What I wrote is that people once considered Uncle Sam protecting the Epstein child blackmail operation from the time of Reagan through each administration to the present day kooky, too.

[Sympthsical]

112. Then prove it

The Epstein people have more than proved it in my eyes.

This is staged? Ok. Prove it. Prove Butler is staged. Prove 2024 was stolen. Prove last night was an elaborate scheme. Don't speculate. Don't "Just asking questions!" through it. Proof. Logic. Verifiable fact-based reasoning. Not just "They could do anything! Wouldn't put it past them!" Because that's just advertising that Trump has successfully broken people's brains. That the endless stream of crazy and the endless social media amplification of it has succeeded in turning critical thinking to mush.

The real tragic thing about it is this: This is the most incompetent administration in American history, littered with unqualified people, with a gossipy atmosphere that leaks like an infinite number of sieves.

And given that. People still choose to get on the, "Yes, they are amazing at carrying out this high precision bit of political theater with nary a soul whispering about it ever!" train.

What? Do you see how illogical that sounds? It is ball-kickingly dumb.

And just to reinforce my point. This trainwreck of an executive branch is precisely the one that showed America just how bad the Epstein situation was, because they were so blazingly incompetent at trying to hide it.

But the assassination stuff they can hide. They're just, you know, savants at staged assassinations or something.

I sometimes truly wonder if people understand how they sound. Or is that because everyone they surround themselves with sounds exactly the same, so they can't even hear it anymore.

[Kid Berwyn]

120. I don't care how I "sound" to you.

I prefer to learn or share.

[Abolishinist]

115. You wrote that "it happened in front of the White House press corps who'd been previously alerted to shots flying."

as though you believe she knew this in advance. You really think she would have said nothing had she known of a potential shooting? The shots she was referring to were verbal, NOT bullets.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was speaking to a Fox News journalist, before a shooter attacked the venue of the White House press dinner.

"He is ready to rumble, I will tell you. This speech tonight will be classic Donald J Trump. It'll be funny, it'll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room. So everyone should tune in, it's going to be really great," Levitt said ahead of the event, clearly referring to a speech that would be characteristic of Trump's loud and fiery public addresses.

[Kid Berwyn]

121. So what?

Her husband sat next to a reporter and expressed concern for her safety before any shots, physical or verbal, were fired.

ETA link to history: https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21199467

[DenaliDemocrat]

108. It's generally weird

Around here anymore.

[Blues Heron]

2. That ship sailed

Last edited Sun Apr 26, 2026, 12:17 AM - Edit history (1)

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. Some folks cannot deal with the uncertainty that comes from a lack of information

So they just make stuff up and run with it as if it were verifiable truth.

[underpants]

7. Instant speculation

Yeah. I get it but I don’t like it

[MorbidButterflyTat]

25. OR

maybe some of us aren't willing to just eat any bullshit force fed to the credulous from the pathological liar, convicted felon, pedophile child trafficker, etc., and his morally bankrupt, criminally corrupt "administration."

[stopdiggin]

28. that - and it's so much easier just to make sh*t up

And shrug aside the fact that we're actually 'contributing' to the post truth ecosystem ..

But, ya know - righteous indignation - providing excellent cover ..

[Abolishinist]

29. And others of us are, for better or worse,

proponents of logic and reason. As opposed to emotional speculation.

[vishnura]

79. OR

[dickthegrouch]

50. And TSF is such a willing role model/nt

[womanofthehills]

118. When everyone knows Trump is a liar and no one trusts him

Easy to see why people think he is lying.

I think if half of the US thinks the gov was involved - who are we not to report that. - It shows a huge disconnect.

According to Joe Kent, Trump put a stop to following further overseas leads in Charlie’s murder and to stop looking into the first assignation attempt on Trump.

How do we even know if the FBI had warning this would happen and decided to catch the guy in part one of his plan to gain more sympathy for Trump. That’s what happens when a president is a psychopath.

[Fiendish Thingy]

119. Nearly half the country believes the 2020 election was rigged and stolen

Is that a valid story that should be widely reported, without questioning whether it is true or not?


Story #1) half of America thinks the government was involved in the assassination attempt (if that claim can be verified)

Story #2) The government was involved in the assassination attempt.

Do you see the difference?

There are multitudes more threads on DU expressing belief in story #2, without any evidence whatsoever, than there are threads focusing on the “huge disconnect”/massive gullibility identified in story #1.

[GenThePerservering]

4. Sorry, but it keeps walking like a duck. nt

[ananda]

6. Gore Vidal said he believed in Coincidence Theories.

And, well when it happens more than once...

[sarisataka]

5. I am sorry to say we WERE better than that once

but that time is long gone.

[ecstatic]

8. trump and his admin are corrupt liars.

This is what happens when we can't trust our leaders.

[ForgedCrank]

9. Good luck with that.

But maybe more daily threads wishing for his death will help our cause.
The bar used to be a lot higher here.

[msongs]

10. press sec knew shots would be fired and said so. that is not a theory nt

[MorbidButterflyTat]

26. On video

[stopdiggin]

32. and running with THAT .... provides ample illustration .... - - - - - - - -(nt)-

[Disaffected]

44. Good grief,

she was referring to Verbal shots, not gun.

Why on earth would she mean, and state, otherwise?

[Lifeafter70]

56. Amd than show up 9 months pregnant.

Of course she meant verbal shots.

[ecstatic]

89. Because they are thugs and they enjoy

wielding their power against everyone and "triggering the libs."

Remember, tRump bragged that he could kill someone in broad daylight and nothing would be done.

[1WorldHope]

92. My suspicion is that he already shot someone on 5th Ave. and already got away with it

[msongs]

110. well the rules about women dont apply to this woman

[BlueKota]

96. Levitt's husband also told a Faux News reporter

that she was a good reporter and that she should stay safe tonight, then she said he looked around the room and said, "there are some," then before she could finish, the call was dropped. Even Katie Curic replied on Threads that someone should ask that reporter what she was about to say he told her. Rather interesting timing at the very least.

[kacekwl]

11. That's the problem, we will never

find out what actually happened.

[CTyankee]

12. Going back to bed. Too late for an old lady like me to be up....

[FHRRK1]

13. Tell me why...

Trump or the Repukes deserve the benefit of the doubt.

[sarisataka]

16. Is it too much to ask to wait for any verified facts?

As happens in most incidents, conflicting reports are still coming out. No one knows what exactly has happened but we already are declaring everything false.

[underpants]

17. Thank you

[FHRRK1]

18. What are the facts about Butler, PA?

What are the facts about tariffs?

Iranian military wiped out?

Enlighten me about Al Gore inventing the internet.

Then do John Kerry Swiftboating.

OH OH, then do where was Obama born.

[sarisataka]

20. I am not Google, but you can find answers to all your questions there.

But to answer your last one, I believe he was born in Hawaii, where do you think he was born?

[FHRRK1]

21. so your answer is, NOTHING

and nice passive/aggressive attempt on Obama.

my screensaver is actually Makena Beach right now, cool pic, great place in Hawaii. Dude was born in Oahu, and your question is fucking lame.

[sarisataka]

23. LOL

Have a nice evening, enjoy your screensaver

[vanlassie]

34. Would you like to share with us the verified facts

that led you to conclude what you believe happened last time? Please share using a similar situation. Thanks.

[sarisataka]

35. What last time are you referring to?

Also what does any other incident have to do with what happened at this one?

The OP asked that we should not promote conspiracy theories before we even know what has happened. It that not rational?

[wnylib]

47. It's what happens when people lose complete trust

in the administration. There have been so many lies and so many outrageous actions that once were considered impossible or unthinkable that now people consider the unthinkable to be the most likely case.

In other words, when unthinkable things become common place, then assuming the unthinkable also becomes common place.

[róisín_dubh]

58. The problem with this admin is...

You’ll probably be waiting until the end of time.

[cayugafalls]

88. Verified facts?

That right there is the problem as all state media filled with perception bias.

Take a look at who owns the media and it is all RICH WEALTHY PEOPLE.

There is no interest in truth, only obfuscation by confusion and dis-unity and biases.

We are divided so well in this country by the algorithm that most people do not even realize they are supporting the algorithm.

They think they are being logical and reasonable.

Echo chambers, multiple conflicting sources, personal biases, perception biases all feed the algorithm and, GUESS WHAT? The algorithm was designed to capitalize on that fact.

By the by, the algorithm I speak of is the unconscious conspiracy that occurs when a group think takes over in any sub population.

The simple fact that almost all media this morning is TELLING you to not jump to conclusions is proof enough for me...MEDIA lies.

I'm weird. I don't believe the things I see on the news or tv or read in newspapers, I try and discern truth from the bits and bobs.

If I am wrong, then you are all right and you can ignore this post. Feel free to ignore it,

I have been ignored my whole life, but I have never been surprised.

Peace

[leftstreet]

14. But who will tell us the truth?

I agree we should wait until we know what actually happened

But who can we rely on for that info?

No one believes a word Trump or anyone in his administration says.

[progressoid]

30. And we can no longer count on the 4th estate.

[LSparkle]

107. A guy is about to become Fed Chair but won't say Biden won

That’s not a hard question to answer (who won the 2020 election?) but the Senate is expected to confirm a truth denier nonetheless.

Truth isn’t important anymore so conspiracies fill the vacuum.

[Abolishinist]

15. WAY better than that? Apparently not.

And to be clear, a 'debate' with a conspiracy conspiracist is, ultimately, a waste of time.

[Cha]

19. Sure, you can ask!

[tavernier]

22. Put me down as someone who really doesn't care.

Just another Trump drama. Real or fake, there is some kind of crackpot stuff going on constantly, like that neighbor down the street who often has a police car in the driveway or a naked guy banging on the front door at all hours.

[LeftInTX]

27. Yikes! I remember when a "leather guy" showed up on someone's ring camera..LOL

He had a tear drop tatoo also. Never saw a naked guy though.

(I spent alot of time on my phone on Next Door and other sites when my house was remodeled because I didn't have a TV or computer. I'm sure I may have missed more exciting videos in recent years)

[Blue Dotty]

46. Exactly

Just another turbulent ripple in the cesspool known as the trump administration.

[H2O Man]

24. Wait!

Are you saying that Eric was not seen on a grassy knoll outside? Or was it a ghastly troll?


Recommended, with apologies for each of my attempts at humor tonight.

[happy feet]

31. Yawn

[Skittles]

33. honestly, it is to be expected

NOTHING regarding these fascist fucks can be trusted

[Bettie]

69. I assume that everything coming out of this administration

is a lie. Flat out bald faced lie.

I believe nothing they say.

About anything.

[stopdiggin]

36. wholeheartedly agree. and yet - there is a surprising amount of defense (and appetite)

for tabloid level trash and burgeoning conspiracy - (on virtually any topic or event)

But - that seems to be what the internet is - current iteration .. Wish I knew what the answer was ...

[usonian]

37. RW Conspiracy theory vs. Democratic Conspiracy Theory. Both are wrong!

RW conspiracy theories are bullshit lies and cult propaganda.
Democratic conspiracy theories are wrong, because they don't go far enough.

[Arthur_Frain]

39. Are these conspiracies in the room with us right now?

“I can feel it
Comin’ in the air tonight
Oh lord”

[ColoringFool]

40. Please. Can We Stop With The "Lone Gunman" For Everything?

[stopdiggin]

41. sure we can! (when we corral additional gunmen .... which, to date .... ) - - - - - - -(nt)-

[ColoringFool]

64. See: House Select Committee on Assassinations, 1979. .

House Select Committee on Assassinations Report: Table of Contents | National Archives https://share.google/pijMUlYdKJTbzu138

See: HSCOA, 1978: James Earl Ray.
Findings on Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassination | National Archives https://share.google/r6ndL5g2kwb6aKNJD

[FullySupportDems]

42. Well, how many "attempts" does this make now?

I've lost count. But I think it's exceptional, as far as how many failed attempts. I hope we can all agree that's true.

How great it works to sell The Ballroom is the handy coincidence. Not exceptional at all. Totally off the cuff salesmanship, that's him. What was it, one minute into his speech? Two minutes? Ah well. Like it would be a shock it was faked with someone so crooked. That's as far as I go with it. I'm at that apathetic stage I guess, where it's hard to care. The lies are expected.

[wnylib]

49. I think they were still eating and speeches had not started yet.

[Lifeafter70]

57. I think he is refering to the press conference later

It was shortly after he started speaking, that he referred to the ballroom and security being the reason.

[wnylib]

60. OK. Thanks for the clarification.

[LeftInTX]

53. Gunman is going to be charged for shooting a SS agent.

[ms liberty]

87. More attempts on him than any one president in my lifetime

I was born in 59, so Ike was POTUS. Almost as many attempts on him as total attempts on POTUS in my lifetime, now that I think about it...Kennedy, Ford, Reagan, am I missing someone?
I think it is very strange.

[RockRaven]

43. Oh, you can certainly ask.

As for compliance, past experience tells me the outlook looks grim on that front.

This is the sort of thing which would, in other circumstances, be right up the alley of RW CTists. Everything is topsy turvy these days.

[SCantiGOP]

45. Thanks for trying, underpants

Sensationalism and playing loosely with facts are inevitable on Social Media.

[quakerboy]

48. It doesnt matter what happened

Was there a shooting by someone with mental disturbance?
Was there a shooting by someone justifiably trying to deal with a problem?
Was there a false flag operation?
Did something else entirely happen?

It doesn't matter. End of the day trump was not harmed and the country is still in chaos and extreme danger.

[The Revolution]

51. So should I put you down for LIHOP?

It's not new, but it certainly does swem to have gotten worse.

Somehow we are supposed to believe that this man and his cadre of idiots, drunks, and nutcases are able to pull of one masterpiece conspiracy after another, but couldn't figure out that the Iranians might close the Strait of Hormuz?

[GenThePerservering]

106. That's the only reasonable argument against a staged incident that I've heard. nt

[BigmanPigman]

52. "They started it"

Does a bear go poopie in the woods?

[Aussie105]

54. There are many layers of truth.

Some layers are supported by facts.

Conspiracy theories make the truth harder to find because they are supported by non facts.

About the most recent shooting:

Known facts are -
Man.
Gun.
Shots fired.
No one died.
People were scared and very surprised.
Trump blathered on about it.

Background facts:
Trump trends to ramble on at the best of times.
America is an armed camp, lots of good guys, lots of bad guys, lots of guns - so why the surprise?

Unknown and undetermined possible future fact:
Will America finally do something about the guns?

[flvegan]

55. But then how else will we get 20 OPs for each current event on GD's main page?

[Grokenstein]

59. Wow, the argument went from OP's "we're better than this" to others'

"there sure are a lot of brain-damaged conspiro-nutter point-chasing dummies around here" with astonishing speed.

I would have sworn there was a rule about that, but I guess I imagined it.

[ColoringFool]

63. There Should Be A Rule Against Lecturing Others.

[Grim Chieftain]

61. With this administration that is based on lies and deception

Last edited Sun Apr 26, 2026, 08:59 AM - Edit history (1)

it is important to ask questions and look very carefully at what "facts" they offer. It is logical that people would examine alternative answers. If that is considered conspiracy theory, so be it. To wait until the Trump crew tells us what the "truth" is would be dangerous.

As I have said numerous times here, where the Trump cabal is concerned, question everything, doubt nothing.

[yellow dahlia]

101. Hear! Hear!

[ColoringFool]

62. "Said Some Lincoln Supporters When......." n/t

[Scrivener7]

65. I'll never believe the last one was real, but this one seems to be. But I take issue with "we're better than that."

Those who don't believe a thing the magat says are not lesser than you. They are simply applying their very valid experience of listening to him lie about every single thing for a decade.

Frankly, I think "Sure, Jan" SHOULD BE our first reaction to everything he says or does.

[Vinca]

66. We may be way better than that, but Trump isn't. I'm sorry, but the whole thing has a stinkiness about it.

It might well be a real attempt, but the whole thing seems "off." #1 - Trump's sudden eagerness to go to an event that has every press outlet packed into one place which he has previously spurned. #2 - Trump having terrible press over Iran and terrible numbers on the war, economy and everything else and a seeming inability to do anything about it. #3 - The ignoring of the warnings from the press association about the security arrangement, which has apparently been a thing for years. #4 - A seemingly otherwise normal person suddenly storming a security perimeter rather than sneaking in around it. #5 - A good looking, apparently intelligent guy as the shooter who is overly compliant. Time will tell, but I don't think it's a conspiracy when the "victim" is the biggest scam artist in the world.

[yellow dahlia]

102. I don't believe in coincidence theories.

[Woodwizard]

67. Years ago I would agree.

But we have been fed so much lies and just blatant bulshit from this 24 hour histrionic administration tha conspiracy theories are the logical end result.

Have to say my first thought last night was oh another distraction. But distractions do not work when the evidence of the incompetence is on display every time we get gas or grocery shop.

[hlthe2b]

68. I am determined to take a pause to see...

That said, “let’s find out what actually happened…”. Do you really expect truth from anyone involved in investigating?

[demmiblue]

70. "We are WAY better than that."

Umm… no comment.🤐

[spanone]

71. Like the other 2 attacks nothing will be learned.

We know nothing about them. How they came about.

[Bettie]

73. Of course....this administration has been

so very truthful in every way that there is no reason we should not believe every word they say.

[Happy Hoosier]

74. Trump is a liar and a fraud.

Last edited Mon Apr 27, 2026, 12:29 PM - Edit history (1)

He has never done this dinner before. He suddenly decides to. He’s in deep political trouble. And then THIS happens? I’m not saying it was definitely staged, but this is exactly the kind of bullshit Stepehn Miller would come up with.

[yellow dahlia]

103. It feels way too convenient.

[Maru Kitteh]

75. AGREED. I miss greatly the FACT-based community this once was.

Evidence and rational thought processes once set this community apart from the greater unwashed expanse of the internet. I miss that so much.

[Doodley]

85. This administration isn't fact-based. Is it surprising that people don't trust anything Trump does or says?

[tritsofme]

76. Plenty of folks are eager to swallow conspiracy on just about anything. I'm not sure where this "we are better"

idea is coming from?

[Botany]

77. One or two things could be from random chance but:

Leavitt on tape saying there will be shots fired prior to shots being fired.

The pictures of Trump unsurprised by the gun fire.

Trump’s scripted talk after the shooting. The show must go on.

Dan Scavino trying to start a USA USA chant.

The pictures of Trump and company being all smiles afterwards.

Trump and White House officials were all smiles and appeared in good spirits at the press conference following the WHCD incident

— MeidasTouch (@meidastouch.com) 2026-04-26T10:13:21.352Z

Leavitt is trying to keep from laughing.

[Irish_Dem]

78. We would be stupid and foolish not to question every thing that happens right now.

Being gullible and naive is not a good survival mechanism right now.

[BlueKota]

99. Exactly

We are talking about a man who says he thought an AI image depicting him as Jesus was depicting him as a doctor. Plus, how many people, would go on and on about a ballroom, if someone was just apprehended planning a violent shooting.

[yellow dahlia]

104. And we always ask - who does this benefit?

[The Wizard]

80. Jewish space lasers?

Never mind.

[The Blue Flower]

81. When you can trust the admin or the media, what's left?

Theories.

[herding cats]

82. That genie has left the bottle and we're never getting it back in now.

The fact is many of us (the general public) have massive trust issues now. Which isn't surprising, and has led to a lot of folks who see others saying everything is a lie and/or fake from this admin to just add to the dogpile.

So, here we are. DUers who used to not tolerate 9/11 and other CT stuff out in the public forums are now beating up on the folks who are asking for facts before people cement themselves to a narrative.

Strange days, huh?

[Doodley]

83. So, we shouldn't talk about the conspiracy of the eight Iranian women Trump claimed he saved?

[GreenWave]

84. I saw to my profound sorrow yesterday, JFK witnesses., so I don't think letting time fly like an arrow is the right way.

Oswald's military buddy. Told by FBI to "re-think" telling the news that Oswald was a very poor rapid fire marksman.
Car dealership guy chases after a gunman, not Oswald. Not interviewed until 2 months later. Survives bullet to head when he leaves the interrogation.
Last person JFK waved to, witnessed his skull coming apart and fragments flying his way.

[Dunc]

86. At the gym this morning.

It was on the news and other people working out were discussing this. I just put in my ear buds and cardio/ circuit P.T to several different artists I’m so tired of the stupid.

[Emile]

90. The act of conspiring a plan for approval of a new ballroom?

[yellow dahlia]

105. Who does it benefit?

Oh - the grifter...again.

[bigtree]

91. NOTHING is beyond this administration

...no one should be gatekeeping speculation about Trump or this administration.

They're subversive and reflexively dishonest.

They brought any and all of it on themselves, so fuck them.

They deserve it.

[City Lights]

93. Why do you believe you're going to find out what actually happened?

After all the lies, why do you believe anything that comes from this toxic regime?

[GreatGazoo]

94. Maxim: Never assume elaborate secrecy and perfect execution when incompetence

is the more likely reason.

[darkstar]

100. 100% to this

Given DU’s intense dislike for Trump—and the media we share here showing the disdain beyond this platform—is it really that improbable that someone across this vast nation might be driven to to attempt this sort of thing?

Add in any particular grievances—family member in who has lost health care or job due to policies à la the CEO killer—and the possibility of mental illness amplifying the whole stew in their minds, it simply seems far more probable to me than the “staged” option.

Then there is the question of recruiting someone playing a positive role in their community from way across the nation to throw their life away in order to play this role.

So name names if you have them. Who set this in motion beyond some vague “they”?

[Boo1]

113. If one person doubted everything that Trump says

and one person believed it....who would be right more often?

[GenThePerservering]

114. I'll stay flippant. nt

[BootinUp]

116. no. we are not. lol.

[Blue Full Moon]

117. Nothing but conspiracies from the right.