Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, World News, Conspiracy Theories
People have a bizarre conspiracy theory about a woman who was present during Donald Trump's assassination attempt.
On Saturday, July 13, the former US president was speaking on stage at a rally in Pennsylvania when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks - who was hiding on a roof 150 meters away - fired several shots in his direction.
Trump managed to tilt his head at just the right moment, meaning the bullet grazed his right ear.
Following the scary ordeal, Trump could be seen ducking down behind the lectern, before he was rushed off stage by his security team.
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Tragically, two other people were critically injured during the incident and one man, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, died.
Since the incident, people across the world have been analysing footage which has been emerging online.
One clip shows a woman standing to Trump's left as the shooting unfolded. But instead of ducking, panicking or even trying to flee the scene, people have noted how she appeared totally relaxed amidst the chaos.
It's important to note that none of us truly know how we would have reacted in that situation.
But despite this, the internet has been going wild, with people even believing the woman to be FBI assistant director, Janeen DiGuiseppi.
Some even suggested she 'nodded' just moments before Crooks opened fire.
The outlandish theory has been debunked by both experts and the FBI.
"The allegations circulating on social media about an FBI executive and the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania are categorically false," a FBI spokesman told the Mail Online.
"To be clear, the person depicted is not her and she did not attend the rally. The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly and selflessly to protect others every day, and false rumors and conspiracy theories targeting these dedicated public servants are reprehensible and irresponsible.
"They are also dangerous and often lead to threats against them and their families. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable anyone who makes violent threats against them or any of our colleagues in law enforcement."
Meanwhile, Shayan Sardarizadeh - a BBC misinformation specialist - has also rubbished the claims on social media.
"A new conspiracy theory, currently racking up millions of views, baselessly claims that a female supporter seen behind Trump when he got shot is assistant director of the FBI's insider threat office Janeen DiGuiseppi, who was helping the shooted," he said.
"Those are two different women."
As the speculation unfolds, political commentator Candace Owens shared a podcast episode on Friday (19 July) evening, which debunked the theory.
Candace claimed she has verified the identity of the woman, explaining she is a private citizen and so will not be releasing her identity, but confirming it is not Janeen DiGuiseppi.
UNILAD has reached out to the FBI for comment.
Trump has now given his first major speech following last weekend's assassination attempt.
Reflecting on the near-fatal day for the former president, Trump told crowds: "It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
He continued, as per Sky News: "Behind me and to the right was a large screen that was displaying a chart of border crossings under my leadership.
"In order to see the chart, I started to turn to my right, and was ready to begin a further turn, which I'm lucky I didn't, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me, really hard, on my right ear."
🚨BREAKING: @RealCandaceO confirms the identity of the woman sitting behind Donald Trump during his assassination attempt. It is a private citizen so she decided against releasing her name.
— Dominic Michael Tripi (@DMichaelTripi) July 19, 2024
It is NOT FBI Assistant Director Janeen Diguiseppi. pic.twitter.com/EImiBK9wtd
He continued: "I said to myself, 'Wow, what was that - it can only be a bullet,' and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood.
"I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack, and in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground."
Trump further explained that there was 'blood pouring everywhere', but he still felt safe because he 'has God on his side'.
"The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be here tonight," he continued.
