President Donald Trump has a history of engaging in conspiracy theories. He has promoted various unfounded claims, such as the birther theory regarding Barack Obama, the assertion that windmills cause cancer, and the belief that climate change is a hoax orchestrated by China. Additionally, he has declined to denounce the QAnon movement, referring to its followers as patriots.
However, Trump’s recent behavior suggests a new level of endorsement for conspiracy theories and baseless assertions. Here are ten instances where he has publicly echoed such claims:
- During a press conference, Trump defended Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old Trump supporter who shot and killed two people during a Kenosha, Wisconsin protest. Trump asserted, without evidence, that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense.
- In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Trump promoted several conspiracy theories, including one about a plane of “thugs” aiming to disrupt the GOP convention. Trump provided no evidence for these claims.
- Trump suggested that wealthy individuals are funding violent protesters in anti-racism demonstrations across the country, again without offering evidence.
- He falsely claimed that Portland, Oregon, has been burning for decades, despite statements from local fire officials refuting this.
- Trump insinuated that Joe Biden may be using performance-enhancing drugs, a claim for which he provided no evidence.
- He propagated the idea that unidentified individuals are controlling Biden from the shadows, another claim lacking evidence.
- Trump repeated false information regarding COVID-19, specifically regarding the reported death toll and the effectiveness of mail-in voting.
- He asserted that he won the popular vote in 2016, despite losing by a significant margin, and suggested widespread voter fraud in California, New York, and other states.
- Trump repeatedly claimed that the upcoming election will be “rigged” due to mail-in voting, despite lacking evidence to support this assertion.
- On multiple occasions, Trump seemed to encourage his supporters to vote twice, an illegal practice.
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