šŗšøš SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES: PEOPLE ACCUSE TRUMP OF STAGING HIS OWN ATTACK AT THE CORRESPONDENTSā DINNER
š± As soon as the Washington Hilton incident broke, social media filled with posts accusing the attack of being a āsetupā or āfalse flag.ā The pattern repeats: it happened after Butler in July 2024 and is happening again tonight in Washington, with viral posts urging people ānot to believe everything they seeā and questioning the official operation.
š« But the confirmed facts contradict that narrative. The shooter has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, registered as a guest at the Hilton itself. He came down armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Between 5 and 8 real shots were fired and a Secret Service agent was hit in his bulletproof vest. He is hospitalized.
š¤ Why are people suspicious? Three reasons explain the wave of skepticism. First: the tense political context between Trump and the press, right at the event that gathers Washington journalism. Second: the doubts already circulating about Butler 2024, where MAGA voices, including Tucker Carlson, had questioned the FBI investigation. Third: the media opportunity the episode gives the president to reinforce his victim narrative.
āļø Authorities have moved fast. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced two initial federal charges for using a firearm in a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The defendant will be arraigned in federal court on Monday. Police believe he acted alone and rule out any ongoing public threat.
šļø Trump used the attack to justify one of his projects. In his press conference, he said the Hilton is ānot a particularly secure buildingā and defended his new ballroom at the White House with bulletproof glass and drone resistance. The bottom line: speculating is legitimate, making things up is not.
