Unsubstantiated claims about what took place at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pa., immediately flooded social media after former President Donald J. Trump was carried off the stage after shots were fired.
Without providing proof, the social media posts blamed shadowy figures on the left for targeting Mr. Trump, and built on ideas circulated by Mr. Trump that the “deep state,” or a cabal within the government, was seeking to stop him from returning to office.
The unverified claims surfaced on platforms including Gab, Truth Social and Parler, which are favored by the far-right, as well as on X, Telegram, Facebook and Instagram.
“Watch for emotional language.”Law enforcement officials will require time to investigate what happened at the rally.
Video from the event appears to show Mr. Trump falling to the stage and bleeding from his ear before being escorted away by Secret Service agents.
Persons:
Donald J, Trump, ” Roberta Braga
Organizations:
Mr, Facebook, Digital Democracy Institute of, “, Secret Service
Locations:
Butler, Pa