CNN Denies Conspiracy Claims Following Trump’s Butler Rally Shooting Incident

NEW YORK, NY — CNN has categorically denied allegations of being “tipped off” about an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. As Trump addressed supporters, he narrowly escaped injury when a bullet grazed his ear, and one bystander was killed while two others suffered critical injuries.

During a recent episode of Joe Rogan‘s podcast, which features guest Elon Musk, the two speculated about the circumstances surrounding CNN’s decision to livestream the rally. Rogan questioned, “You also know that CNN streamed it live, which I do not believe they did for any other rally — and certainly not for a rally in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania. Like, there’s a lot of weird s**t.” Musk agreed, stating, “I totally agree it makes no sense.” Their comments quickly went viral on social media, igniting speculation and demands from some conservative figures for a formal investigation.

A spokesperson for CNN responded to the accusations, clarifying, “CNN provided live coverage of President Trump’s Butler, PA, rally in anticipation of news about his pick for Vice President. Any suggestion contrary to that fact is completely false.” CNN pointed out the heightened interest surrounding the rally due to speculation about Trump’s running mate ahead of the Republican National Convention.

Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager and supporter of Trump, further fueled the speculation on social media, questioning, “What are the chances @CNN was tipped off to stream the Butler rally? Why isn’t this worthy of an investigation? It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out who orders the coverage and why.” Another voice in the media, Fox News contributor Joe Concha, echoed this sentiment, noting that CNN had not aired previous Trump rallies, thus raising questions about their decision to cover this one.

The shooting incident itself involved a suspect, who was later shot dead by law enforcement after firing multiple shots towards the stage during Trump’s speech. The motivation behind the shooting is still under investigation, but it has prompted intense scrutiny on both Trump’s security measures and media coverage of political events.

Despite the claims made by Rogan and Musk, evidence suggests CNN regularly broadcast segments of Trump’s rallies throughout the 2024 campaign. Notably, the Butler rally occurred less than 48 hours before the start of the RNC, making any announcements related to the Vice Presidential nomination highly newsworthy.

As the narrative surrounding the event continues to unfold, CNN is actively engaging with social media posts that perpetuate these conspiracy theories, aiming to clarify the facts regarding their coverage decisions. In turn, some proponents of these theories have chosen to preserve their claims despite the network’s rebuttal, indicating a complex media landscape where misinformation can spread quickly.

The implications of the shooting, alongside the election’s intensifying environment, highlight the intersection of politics, media, and public safety as the nation edges closer to pivotal election days.