Posts with the word ‘staged’ spike on social media after users cast doubt on DC dinner shooting

NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsPosts with the word ‘staged’ spike on social media after users cast doubt on DC dinner shootingUnfounded theories ranged from the timing of the shooting being a ‘distraction’ from the war in Iran to giving Trump another justification for his $400 million ballroomRhian Lubin in New York Monday 27 April 2026 16:14 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2965704","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-dinner-shooting-staged-conspiracy-theories-b2965704.html","title":"Posts containing the word ‘staged’ spike after DC dinner shooting "}}CloseTrump makes fresh case for controversial $400 million ballroom after WHCD shootingSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailGet our free Inside Washington emailEmail*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_INSIDE_WASHINGTON","regTitle":"Inside Washington","subscriptionGroup":"inside_washington","subscriptionGroupId":"af764e04-87eb-45e6-a84b-a7455ba70a1e","type":"inside_washington","pathPrefix":"/news/world/americas/us-politics","associatedAuthors":["Eric Garcia","John Bowden"],"title":"Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox","mobileTitle":"Get our free Inside Washington email","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/insideWashington1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveInsideWashingtonN...