Claims that an apparent assassination attempt against Trump was staged are baseless

Soon after U.S. Secret Service agents intervened to stop a second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, social media users started spreading conspiracy theories about the incident, including that it was staged.

Some users pointed to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign sending fundraising emails hours after the incident as proof.

"Trump is fundraising from these shooting incidents, it's almost like these are staged," an X user posted Sept. 15.

Another X user tagged Trump’s X account and wrote, "I don't buy your story for a second. So vague, with so little detail trickling out, like you're making it up as you go. No footage, no real details. Yet somehow, you had fundraising emails ready to go in minutes? Feels completely staged."

Other users on X and Instagram made similar claims.

The Instagram post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)

These claims are baseless.

The FBI said it is investigating the event as "what appears to be an assassination attempt" against Trump. As Trump golfed at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, a man pointed a gun through the fence and bushes at Trump, who was 400 to 500 yards away. Per safety protocols, a U.S. Secret Service agent was stationed one to two holes ahead of Trump.

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At about 1:30 p.m., the agent ahead of Trump noticed the rifle barrel pointed through the fence and fired at the gunman, who drove away from the scene. Authorities later apprehended the suspect, whom they identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58.

Trump’s campaign posted on X about an hour after the incident, saying Trump was "safe following gunshots in his vicinity." Trump himself posted on Truth Social that night thanking the Secret Service and local law enforcement for "the incredible job done today."

Court documents said authorities recovered an AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope, two bags, a digital camera and a black plastic bag containing food from the spot Routh had positioned himself along the fence surrounding Trump’s golf course.

Officials shared photos of the evidence with news outlets during the press conference.

Court filings show Routh was charged with two federal crimes: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Claims that violent incidents and shootings were "staged" to distract from other news are a common trope among misinformers. In July, when a gunman opened fire on Trump during a Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally and a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, social media users also falsely claimed that assassination attempt was staged.

Social media users claimed the apparent assassination attempt against Trump on Sept. 15 was "staged."

There is no evidence to support this. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential assassination attempt against the former president. Authorities recovered evidence, including a rifle, after the event, and the suspect has been charged with federal gun crimes.

This claim is inaccurate and meritless. We rate it Pants on Fire!