Okay morning crew at MSNOW - when we wonder if it was staged, we don't mean you were part of it.

[yellow dahlia]

Last edited Sun Apr 26, 2026, 02:44 PM - Edit history (1)

It really happened. Yes - shots were fired. Yes - people were scared and should have been. Yes - people called and texted family members in fear.

When we say something looks staged or orchestrated, we don't mean it was a Hollywood sound stage production to create propaganda.

Those of us who question things when they seem too convenient, aren't conspiracy theorists. (People who said Sandy Hook didn't happen are conspiracy theorists.)

To some of us several aspects don't add up...and it was SO damn convenient. It accomplishes too much for the grifter's agenda, just like Butler PA did. Why didn't you ask questions about Butler PA? Many of us did. The evidence of a staged event was there in many ways. I believe the pimple faced (now dead) supposed shooter was likely a patsy.

This event isn't as obvious as Butler. But many of us are highly skeptical. This was way too convenient! Is it possible there was a patsy? I haven't ruled it out yet. I do not think hundreds of people were part of some big theater-like event - Jeez. That's just plain stupid.

Yes - it really happened. I'm sorry you were scared. But ask questions, rather than getting caught up in the drama.

No matter why it happened, it was as a result of the grifter. If he didn't orchestrate an event to garner sympathy and distract and give him an excuse for his ballroom agenda, then it happened because he fuels peoples' anger and crazy. If this shooter was an agitated aggrieved person, acting alone, who riled him up? There's a question to explore.

[chicoescuela]

1. I agree, they totally are missing the point about the skepticism.

[yellow dahlia]

5. I was surprised Eugene Daniels didn't get it.

I was surprised he was so flippant as to label those asking questions as conspiracy theorists. Not very journalistic of him.

I wasn't surprised by Jonathan Capeheart's internalizing it - he is a lightweight.

[Sympthsical]

2. When you've made up your mind with a total absence of facts

And then, not only cling to that fabricated narrative when facts contradict it, but create an alternative scenario of speculative fiction to plug in and believe . . .

Yes. That's a conspiracy theorist.

I mean, it's not a good thing.

And no, "Trump made me do it" is not an acceptable explanation for this pattern of thinking. People are responsible for their own minds. Trump can't make people swallow conspiracy theories and social media slop. That's something they choose to do for themselves.

I just wish they were somewhat less joyful in spreading it around to those of us who are trying to muddle our way through a reality that is bad enough all by itself.

[Kid Berwyn]

3. Microsoft and Epstein.

Bill “STD” Gates wanted to know how to secretly administer antibiotics to his unsuspecting wife.

[malaise]

4. THIS

I do not trust this kakistocracy

[yellow dahlia]

6. They have proven they will do ANYTHING to get their desired result.

[mzmolly]

7. I'm inclined to believe it was a LIHOP

operation, if anything.

[yellow dahlia]

8. Another possibility.

[ecstatic]

21. I was in the MIHOP camp but now I'm not so sure

My first theory was that trump told his unofficial top security henchman: it would sure be very nice if that press event were stopped before the speeches began.

He didn't know how the plan would be implemented. He just knew that his bidding would be done somehow.

However, MeidasTouch played footage from a Fox News interview where an eyewitness from the event called in to talk about what she saw. But then the caller pivoted and began talking about how Leavitt's husband warned everyone at their table that something was about to go down. Before the eyewitness could complete her statement, the call with Fox News disconnected. So if additional people knew what was coming, it couldn't have been just one conversation between trump and his henchman. More people knew, including karoline and her husband.

Regarding cole's involvement: The FBI and other organizations monitor young men on social media who are slightly unstable, shoot guns, and HATE trump (or the current president). Most of these young men, once discovered by the fbi/organization, end up in long-term online "friendships" with like-minded individuals who are actually undercover agents of the organization.

From there, the organization can achieve a variety of results based on how they want to proceed--they can radicalize the men, set them up in stings and/or activate them to carry out certain acts. And the beautiful thing for the organization is that their involvement doesn't have to be exposed. The young man who is activated will likely die in a shootout, but even if captured alive, he'd never suspect that his online buddy is really an agent and would be inclined to protect him.

The FBI's heavy use and reliance on such tactics is well documented and controversial, but again, other organizations do it too.

https://hrlr.law.columbia.edu/hrlr-online/the-anatomy-of-a-federal-terrorism-prosecution-a-blueprint-for-repression-and-entrapment/

https://csrr.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/norris2019_article_explainingtheemergenceofentrap-1.pdf

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+often+does+the+fbi+rely+on+undercover+sting+entrapment

[yellow dahlia]

28. Your consideration of a theory related to grooming a patsy is one of the scenarios I entertained.

Thank you for framing it in a way that could make sense. Someone planted a seed? Someone promised protection?

Your explanation involving the FBI would match up to a peculiarity in his manifesto. Wants to take them all down, but not Kash. Why not Kash?

I had a thought that parts of his "mission" were well planned out, while others weren't. Was he told he was going to be the distraction, and someone else would get closer to the target?

There are still many questions or possibilities. When something seems too convenient, maybe it is.

I don't believe in coincidence theories.

[yellow dahlia]

29. P.S. Do you feel like sharing these thoughts on my OP from last night?

"Convince me this wasn't another false flag"
https://democraticunderground.com/100221198453

[BannonsLiver]

9. I don't know WTF people expect.

This is the most corrupt, lying, piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining regime in US history. Of course when things like this happen it’s going to be scrutinized-doubted-questioned because of the regime’s well earned reputation of being evil and corrupt. People - whoever they are- that get their knickers in a twist over those kinds of reactions are just going to have to deal with it.

[LiberalLovinLug]

11. Exactly

[dave99]

10. it was Bullshit, normal fare from Republicans.

media just pushes it out, as long as they are paid

[Katinfl]

12. Of course it happened. Of course people were scared. Shots were fired.

Whether it was staged or not trump will milk this for all it’s worth to push for the ballroom. We saw that last night and this morning in his post. If it was not staged, can you believe the good luck that this just falls into his lap so that he can use it to his advantage? Much ado about nothing, IMO.

[Bengus81]

22. And Dems in Congress need to be on top of the Trump barrage of shit

Building a ballroom for billionaires and millionaires WON'T stop children from being slaughtered in a school or adults at a concert or in a theater. By Trump spewing that fucking shit once again proves it's all about him and the RICH.

Get after it Dems!

[ToxMarz]

13. Right, I heard them doing this and couldn't believe it

Your point exactly, literally no one was trying to imply nothing happened. But what really seemed most important to them was that THEY were part of the story because they were there. They weren't going to let anyone diminish THIER importance by questioning or minimizing the importance of the event. Proud victims.

[yellow dahlia]

14. Right. I was scared! Waahh!

Made the story about them - breaking one of the rules of journalism.

[Emile]

15. He hasn't attended a WHCD since he's been president.

Now all of sudden he decides to go, and supposedly an assassination attempt. Now all Republicans with their new talking points from Trump, are screaming how badly we need a new ballroom added to the Whitehouse.

Common sense would make you question if this was staged.

My honest practical opinion, it was all staged by trump.

[yellow dahlia]

16. Common sense and deductive reasoning.

Too convenient! Who does it benefit?

[ToxMarz]

19. And if there was a White House Ballroom he never would have allowed THEM to use it. It's not a White House/Govt. event.

So this isn't an argument that he should be allowed to build one.

[Chemical Bill]

24. By the time the ballroom is done,

the press will all belong to the White House....

We won't be allowed any exceptions.

[crud]

17. I have to logically ask myself

do these idiots have the ability to pull off some kind of staged event and get away with it? No. Do I think they wouldn't try something like that? No, they are that stupid. If this was a setup, it will be easely exposed.

[BidenRocks]

18. Let's fix this!

Since Conspiracy Theorist sounds better than Conspiracy Hypothesist, we went with that.

Our proof is limited and likely tainted, considering the source. That is NOT a theory!
A theory is a structured, tested, and widely accepted explanation for a phenomenon, built upon facts, laws, and verified hypotheses.

Now a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative, testable "educated guess" or proposed explanation for a phenomenon, based on limited evidence or reasoning. It acts as a starting point for further investigation, predicting a relationship between variables that can be supported or refuted through experimentation.

I am not a Conspiracy Theorist but I do have a hypothesis based on available historical data of chump's dishonesty.
Door Dash was only a week ago. A minor attempt at bullshitting us.

Minor yes, but most bank scams start with a one dollar charge. Minor yes, but telling.

America's media are on this non-stop, giving it credence.

I am going to watch motorsports and BBQ!

[yellow dahlia]

20. "but most bank scams start with a one dollar charge"

Exactly!

[FakeNoose]

23. Exactly right - we are skeptical because we KNOW HE LIES - about EVERYTHING!

Also he has fired good people (and bad) because they refused to lie on his behalf.
Lies are all he has, so why should this be anything else?

[Emile]

26. Anyone who witnessed trump orchestrating an insurrection

on live TV, and four years later think he won every battleground state, are easily conned. Wouldn't surprise me it's the same people thinking we are starting a conspiracy theory.

[yellow dahlia]

27. WORD!