July 14, 2024 | ABC
Katherine Keneally on conspiracy theories spreading after Trump assassination attempt
In the hours following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, ISD’s Director of Threat Analysis and Prevention, Katherine Keneally, addressed the false claims circulating on social media in a radio interview with ABC Australia.
Katherine explained how these false claims spread like wildfire. “What we have seen, in part due to the limited information that was released in the wake of the events, was that conspiracy theories were initially circulating around the attacker himself, with some individuals being falsely accused of being the attacker even despite not being in the United States.”
Other false claims shifted blame “on the US government or various agencies for the attack,” she said.
Despite the absurdity of some of these conspiracy theories, Katherine emphasized the dangers they pose, noting that they have historically incited individuals to engage in political violence.
Katherine was also quoted in print articles by ABC Australia and CBC Canada.