How conspiracy theories about 12 missing or dead scientists went from online forums to the White House

NewsWorldAmericasHow conspiracy theories about 12 missing or dead scientists captured Trump’s attentionThe idea of a sinister connection between tragedies involving scientists is a common trope within conspiracy theory communitiesMelissa Goldin Friday 24 April 2026 21:31 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2964647To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/12-missing-or-dead-scientists-trump-white-house-b2964661.html","title":"How conspiracy theories about 12 missing or dead scientists caught Trump’s attention"}}CloseTrump puts the FBI on case of missing NASA and nuclear research scientistsThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regSourceSection":"Americas","regSourceMethod":"NSCs"},"isClimat...