An unfounded conspiracy theory about an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s life has been debunked by the FBI.
FBI Assistant Director Janeen DiGuiseppi was falsely accused of being present and involved in the rally at which Trump was targeted in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, as Snopes explains.
The incident occurred during a campaign rally held by Trump last weekend. Rumors began swirling after a photo allegedly showed DiGuiseppi seated directly behind Trump. These baseless claims quickly gained traction on social media platforms including X, TikTok, and Reddit, where they garnered millions of views.
The FBI has released a statement strongly denying these allegations. According to the bureau, the claims are "categorically false" with no supporting evidence. They emphasized that Assistant Director Janeen DiGuiseppi was not in Pennsylvania at the time of the rally.
The viral post suggesting the possibility of an "inside job" further compounded the unfounded conspiracy theories proliferating online. Some users went as far as to accuse DiGuiseppi of providing instructions to the shooter, which the FBI has also unequivocally denied.
DiGuiseppi's recent history offers no reason for her presence in Pennsylvania. She holds the position of Assistant Director of the Insider Threat Office at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., a role she has occupied since August 2023.
The speculation on social media claimed that the attempted assassination was state sponsored, involving current Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden. This conspiracy theory has been notably pervasive, stirring intense debate among users and viewers.
“Inside job and they will never prove it wasn't. History repeats itself JFK pt. 2,” commented one internet user. Another echoed similar sentiments stating, “The more info I get -- the more I believe this was 100% a setup and allowed to happen."
The widespread online rumors seemed to derive from superficial resemblances between the alleged woman at the rally and DiGuiseppi, including age, long brown hair, and similar attire.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to uncover the shooter's motive following the attack. As of yet, no concrete identification of the woman from the rally has been made. Key differences in visible features further debunk the conspiracy’s correlation with DiGuiseppi.
Trump's campaign team and the FBI have not reported any involvement of the agency in the organization or security management of the rally. The bureau, however, is leading the investigation following the unfortunate event.
Janeen DiGuiseppi’s distinguished career with the FBI spans over two decades. Prior to her current role in Washington, D.C., she was the first woman to serve as the special agent in charge of the Albany Field Office in New York.
The methodical yet relentless spread of such misinformation reflects the potency of online platforms in amplifying false narratives. Despite the definitive statements from the FBI, the viral nature of these claims underlines the challenges faced by authorities in countering fake news.
