It’s primetime for conspiracy theorist video creators

In the days since this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was cut short when shots were fired at the event , there has been a boom of conspiracy theory videos created by people who insist that the entire situation was a false flag operation . These kinds of theories are nothing new, but the way they’re spreading now is a reflection of how reaction video culture is reshaping our social media landscape. And even though the initial chaos around the shooting has started to die down, content creators are still posting about what “really” happened. There is still much we do not know about Cole Allen, the 31-year-old suspected shooter who allegedly traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, ahead of the WCHD and was staying in the same Hilton where the event was held. But that has not stopped content creators from flooding platforms like YouTube , TikTok, Instagram , and X with videos purporting to have more insightful takes on the situation than what’s being reported by the mainstream media. Many of these videos are shot in people’s cars — a recurring trope for influencers recording themselves eating or doing makeup tutorials. Others keep things casual by recording themselves on their porches. Some creators opt for a more professional vibe with setups meant to resemble broadcast news desks. …