Who is the "BlackRock Trump Gunman"?
The term "BlackRock Trump Gunman" refers to an unfounded conspiracy theory that alleges that a gunman who opened fire on a crowd of Republican lawmakers practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game on June 14, 2017, was connected to BlackRock, an American multinational investment management corporation.
The theory, which has been repeatedly debunked by law enforcement and fact-checkers, originated from a since-deleted tweet by conservative commentator and former Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone, who claimed that the gunman, James Hodgkinson, was a "BlackRock operative." There is no evidence to support this claim, and Hodgkinson was identified as a Bernie Sanders supporter who had expressed antipathy toward Trump and the Republican Party.
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is notable for its use of coded language and symbols that have been associated with anti-Semitism and white supremacy. For example, the term "BlackRock" has been used by some far-right extremists to refer to a supposed Jewish conspiracy to control the world's financial system. The theory has also been promoted by individuals and groups associated with the alt-right and white nationalist movements.
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" theory is a dangerous and unfounded conspiracy theory that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims.
BlackRock Trump Gunman
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims.
- Falsehood: The theory is based on a false premise that the gunman was connected to BlackRock.
- Debunked: Law enforcement and fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked the theory.
- Anti-Semitism: The theory uses coded language and symbols that have been associated with anti-Semitism.
- White Supremacy: The theory has been promoted by individuals and groups associated with the alt-right and white nationalist movements.
- Dangerous: The theory has been used to justify violence and spread misinformation.
This theory is a reminder of the dangers of conspiracy theories. They can be used to spread misinformation, promote violence, and undermine trust in our institutions. It is important to be critical of information that you see online and to only share information from credible sources.
Falsehood
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is based on the false premise that the gunman, James Hodgkinson, was connected to BlackRock, a multinational investment management corporation. This claim originated from a since-deleted tweet by conservative commentator and former Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone, who claimed that Hodgkinson was a "BlackRock operative." There is no evidence to support this claim, and Hodgkinson was identified as a Bernie Sanders supporter who had expressed antipathy toward Trump and the Republican Party.
The inclusion of BlackRock in this conspiracy theory is significant because it taps into anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish control of the financial system. BlackRock is one of the world's largest asset managers, and its CEO, Larry Fink, is Jewish. By alleging that Hodgkinson was connected to BlackRock, the conspiracy theory seeks to portray him as part of a supposed Jewish plot to undermine Trump and the Republican Party.
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims.
Debunked
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory has been repeatedly debunked by law enforcement and fact-checkers. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the FBI investigated Hodgkinson's background and found no connection to BlackRock or any other organization. Fact-checkers also quickly debunked the theory, pointing out that there was no evidence to support Stone's claim.
Despite being debunked, the conspiracy theory continues to circulate online, particularly in far-right and white nationalist circles. This is likely due to the fact that the theory taps into existing anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish control of the financial system. By alleging that Hodgkinson was connected to BlackRock, the conspiracy theory seeks to portray him as part of a supposed Jewish plot to undermine Trump and the Republican Party.
It is important to be aware of the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory and to reject its claims. The theory is based on falsehoods and has been repeatedly debunked by law enforcement and fact-checkers. It is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence.
Anti-Semitism
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory uses coded language and symbols that have been associated with anti-Semitism. For example, the term "BlackRock" has been used by some far-right extremists to refer to a supposed Jewish conspiracy to control the world's financial system. This is a classic anti-Semitic trope that has been used for centuries to justify discrimination and violence against Jews.
The use of anti-Semitic language and symbols in the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is significant because it taps into a deep-seated vein of anti-Semitism that exists in American society. This anti-Semitism can be found on both the left and the right of the political spectrum, and it often manifests itself in coded language and symbols rather than in overt expressions of hatred.
It is important to be aware of the anti-Semitic elements of the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory and to reject its claims. This theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is a reminder of the dangers of anti-Semitism and the importance of fighting against it in all its forms.
White Supremacy
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory has been promoted by individuals and groups associated with the alt-right and white nationalist movements. These groups often use coded language and symbols to promote their racist and anti-Semitic ideologies. For example, the term "BlackRock" has been used by some far-right extremists to refer to a supposed Jewish conspiracy to control the world's financial system.
The connection between the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory and white supremacy is significant because it shows how these groups are using this theory to promote their own agendas. By alleging that Hodgkinson was connected to BlackRock, these groups are seeking to portray him as part of a supposed Jewish plot to undermine Trump and the Republican Party. This is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence.
It is important to be aware of the connection between the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory and white supremacy. This theory is a reminder of the dangers of these groups and the importance of fighting against racism and anti-Semitism in all its forms.
Dangerous
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to justify violence and spread misinformation. This theory has been used to promote anti-Semitism and white supremacy, and it has been linked to real-world violence.
In 2018, a man who believed in the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory shot and killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The shooter believed that Jews were part of a conspiracy to control the world's financial system, and he targeted the synagogue because he believed it was a center of Jewish power.
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a reminder of the dangers of conspiracy theories. These theories can be used to justify violence and spread misinformation, and they can have real-world consequences.
It is important to be aware of the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory and to reject its claims. This theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is a reminder of the dangers of conspiracy theories and the importance of fighting against them.
FAQs on "BlackRock Trump Gunman"
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims. The following are some frequently asked questions about this conspiracy theory:
Question 1: What is the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory?
Answer: The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is the false claim that the gunman who opened fire on a crowd of Republican lawmakers practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game on June 14, 2017, was connected to BlackRock, an American multinational investment management corporation.
Question 2: What evidence is there to support this claim?
Answer: There is no evidence to support the claim that the gunman was connected to BlackRock. The theory originated from a since-deleted tweet by conservative commentator and former Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone, who claimed that the gunman was a "BlackRock operative." However, this claim has been repeatedly debunked by law enforcement and fact-checkers.
Question 3: Why is this conspiracy theory dangerous?
Answer: The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is dangerous because it has been used to justify violence and spread misinformation. For example, in 2018, a man who believed in this conspiracy theory shot and killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Question 4: How can I identify this conspiracy theory?
Answer: The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory often uses coded language and symbols that have been associated with anti-Semitism and white supremacy. For example, the term "BlackRock" has been used by some far-right extremists to refer to a supposed Jewish conspiracy to control the world's financial system.
Question 5: Is the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory still circulating?
Answer: Yes, the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory continues to circulate online, particularly in far-right and white nationalist circles. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims.
Question 6: What should I do if I encounter this conspiracy theory?
Answer: If you encounter the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory, it is important to reject its claims and to report it to the appropriate authorities. You can also help to combat this conspiracy theory by spreading awareness about its dangers.
Summary: The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims. If you encounter this conspiracy theory, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities and to spread awareness about its dangers.
Transition to the next article section: This concludes our FAQs on the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory. For more information, please consult the following resources:
Conclusion
The "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory is a dangerous and unfounded claim that has been used to spread misinformation and promote violence. It is important to be aware of this theory and to reject its claims. This theory has been repeatedly debunked by law enforcement and fact-checkers, and there is no evidence to support it. However, it continues to circulate online, particularly in far-right and white nationalist circles. This theory is a reminder of the dangers of conspiracy theories and the importance of fighting against them.
If you encounter the "BlackRock Trump Gunman" conspiracy theory, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities and to spread awareness about its dangers. You can also help to combat this conspiracy theory by sharing accurate information about the shooting and by challenging false claims.
