Overview
- The NewsGuard/YouGov survey, released Monday, found 24% say the April 25 Washington Hilton attack was staged, 45% believe it was real, and 32% were unsure.
- Belief split sharply by party, with 34% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans calling the dinner incident staged, and younger adults were more likely than seniors to doubt it.
- Across three incidents since 2024 — Butler, Pennsylvania; West Palm Beach, Florida; and the Washington press gala — only 38% said all were legitimate, with most respondents either doubtful or unsure.
- Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was indicted on four federal counts including attempting to assassinate the president and pleaded not guilty Monday in Washington.
- Officials and independent reporting cite no evidence for staging claims, as the White House dismissed the idea and “staged” trended on X after the arrest.