Imhoff describes the rapid spread as a danger. “If conspiracy stories about an event come before the actual report, i.e. if they are the first thing I read about an event, then they come into the privileged position of being the first thing heard,” said the psychologist. “This often has an advantage when it comes to remembering, but also the subsequent processing of information that is recorded and weighted against the background of what has already been heard.”
Trump’s supporters also play a role in interpreting the mysteries surrounding the shooter. You can now point your finger at your opponents and claim that conspiracy stories are deliberately trying to harm the US President. One conspiracy serves the other, creating an endless mirroring of allegations. This is not new territory for Trump – hardly any conspiracy narrative stands alone.
There are also countless articles about the assassination attempt on the then presidential candidate in July 2024, after which Trump styled himself as a great leader with a bleeding ear. There is now also a connection to the Washington shooter.
Conspiracies are also being spread about the fatal attack on Trump supporter Charlie Kirk in September 2025. And it doesn’t always have to be shots. The creators of the conspiracy ideas are also working on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – and on the scandal surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which provokes new suspicions every day.
“It’s easy to find and spread conspiracy theories on social media. People who are interested in them come across them almost immediately,” said psychologist Douglas. “Once conspiracy theories are circulating, they are difficult to contain – especially when some facts are still unknown.”
