A recent survey reveals a divide in beliefs about a shooting incident at a Trump rally, with 36% of Republicans thinking only one person was involved. In contrast, 22% of Democrats believe multiple individuals played a role, while 58% blame a single shooter and 21% are uncertain.
The incident occurred on July 13 when a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring former President Trump and resulting in two critical injuries and one fatality. Crooks himself was shot dead by the Secret Service.
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Since then, unfounded conspiracy theories have surfaced online, including claims of a second shooter, allegedly spotted near the venue. Republican Senator Ron Johnson has amplified these doubts, questioning the narrative of a single shooter based on unspecified videos and expert analyses.
However, the FBI has stated no evidence supports the idea of anyone other than Crooks being involved in the attack. They are continuing investigations to rule out any potential co-conspirators.
The Secret Service faced significant backlash for their handling of security, as the gunman targeted Trump from a building just 200 yards away. Following the incident, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle characterized the event as a major operational failure and ultimately resigned.
Polling results show a strong consensus among Republicans, with 81% supporting the notion that the Secret Service failed in its duties, compared to 55% of Democrats. Cheatle’s resignation also received considerable approval, especially from 70% of Republicans and 45% of Democrats, while only 11% opposed her decision.