In the aftermath of the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump, a disturbing trend has emerged with the proliferation of fake social media accounts impersonating the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, a 20-year-old who was shot and killed by the Secret Service after firing a rifle from a rooftop during Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, has become the subject of numerous fraudulent online identities.
Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his right ear but fortunately escaped serious injury. Tragically, the gunfire claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief, and left two others, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, seriously injured.
In the wake of this incident, Newsweek uncovered several fake Instagram accounts purporting to be Crooks. These accounts appear to have been created for various purposes, including soliciting donations under false pretenses. One such account, “thomas_matthewcrooks_,” falsely claimed to be raising funds for Crooks’ funeral expenses, posing as his grieving mother. Another account directed followers to a pornography site on Telegram.
Some of these accounts disseminated misinformation, with posts like “I would surely take him down I promise Republicans sts fk y’all I’m not D**d,” and falsely claiming “I’m still alive” to sow confusion and exploit the tragedy for personal gain.
Jennifer Stromer-Galley, a Professor of Information Studies at Syracuse University, highlighted the motivations behind such deceitful actions. She noted that some exploit crises to spread conspiracy theories and false information, exacerbating societal tensions and furthering ideological agendas. Others exploit the situation for financial gain, preying on hyper-partisan identities for fraudulent schemes.
Stromer-Galley emphasized the damaging impact of these fake accounts on political discourse, exacerbating polarization and eroding trust in democratic processes. She urged social media platforms to swiftly remove such content during crises to mitigate potential harm to public understanding and cohesion.
Crooks, originally from Bethel Park near Pittsburgh, graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. While registered as a Republican, records show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project in early 2021, reflecting some degree of political engagement despite recent actions.
Authorities disclosed that the firearm used in the shooting was legally owned by Crooks’ father, who also possessed bomb-making materials at their residence. Former classmates described Crooks as a solitary figure who had faced bullying and social isolation.
Matthew Crooks, Thomas’s father, indicated he would refrain from public statements until he had consulted with law enforcement. Investigations into both the shooting and the proliferation of fake online personas continue as authorities seek to understand the full scope of this tragic event and its aftermath.
