Overview: Donald Trump helped normalize conspiracy-minded politics and built an ecosystem of allies who amplified fringe claims. Recently, some of those influencers have turned their attention toward Trump, promoting doubts about the 2024 Butler assassination attempt, alleging undue Israeli influence, and even floating apocalyptic claims. Federal investigators under both administrations say the Butler suspect acted alone, but the narratives persist on social platforms. If GOP leaders do not counter these currents, they could alter perceptions of Trump among parts of his base.
The Conspiracy Beast Trump Helped Build Is Turning On Him
Donald Trump is rushed offstage after a gunman opened fire on a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/File
Donald Trump played a central role in normalizing conspiracy-minded politics, cultivating a media ecosystem that amplified fringe claims. Now, some of the commentators and influencers who helped mainstream those ideas are directing conspiratorial narratives back at him — raising questions that range from suspicious framing of the 2024 Butler assassination attempt to allegations that he is beholden to Israel or even the antichrist.
How We Got Here
Trump launched his national political rise by promoting false "birther" claims about President Barack Obama and later amplified allegations that the 2020 election was stolen. Over years, he cultivated allies — commentators, podcasters and political figures — who helped spread and legitimize a broad array of conspiratorial narratives. That infrastructure is now being used to critique Trump himself.
Marjorie Taylor Greene wears a "Trump Was Right About Everything" hat during an address by President Donald Trump to joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol on March 4, 2025. - Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File
New Narratives Targeting Trump
Several previously pro-Trump voices have recently promoted theories that cast doubt on the official account of the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, with some suggesting the incident was staged or inadequately investigated. Others allege undue Israeli influence over Trump or claim he has been "compromised." A small but notable fringe has even raised apocalyptic accusations, suggesting he could be the antichrist — a claim with religious, not evidentiary, roots.
Who Is Pushing These Theories?
Figures prominent in conservative and conspiratorial media who have recently aired skeptical or hostile takes on Trump include Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, podcasters such as Joe Rogan, Tim Dillon and Theo Von, and more extreme voices like Nick Fuentes. Even personalities who once allied with Trump, including Alex Jones, have turned critical over policy disagreements such as the Iran war.
Tucker Carlson attends an event at the White House in January. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Evidence And Official Findings
Despite the proliferation of questions online, official investigators under both the Trump and Biden administrations have concluded that the accused Butler shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, acted alone and left little paper trail. To date, no credible evidence has emerged supporting claims that the attack was staged or orchestrated by a foreign power.
Political Risks
These developing narratives matter because they come from influencers who helped widen Trump’s reach in the past and because conspiracy theories can spread quickly on social platforms. Republican leaders have, in many cases, not forcefully countered rising antisemitic or anti-Israel sentiments among parts of the party — attitudes that can be repurposed to target Trump. If left unchecked, these currents could reshape pockets of opinion within his base.
What To Watch
Look for whether mainstream GOP figures push back on unfounded claims, whether platforms and podcasters moderate or amplify these conspiracies, and whether new evidence corroborates or debunks the assertions now circulating. For now, the discussion reflects both the reach of conspiratorial networks and the volatility of political allegiances.
Bottom line: The conspiracy ecosystem Trump helped mainstream is now being used by some of the same actors to question and attack him — a dynamic with uncertain political consequences.
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