Conspiracies and partisan takes abound. Here are seven tips for finding the facts

The information ecosystem is churning in the aftermath of yesterday's assassination attempt against former President Trump in Butler, PA.

Comments that the shooting was "staged" by the Trump campaign or a "false flag" event have been trending on X/Twitter.

Hot takes from members of Congress include Rep. Mike Collins' (R-GA) tweet that "Joe Biden sent the orders." The Kremlin blamed the Biden administration as well. Far-right extremists are calling for war according to Wired's David Gilbert (paywall).

In a threesome of falsehoods, posts early today called the shooter an "antifa extremist," misidentified him as Mark Violets and used a photo of someone else entirely – an Italian YouTuber named Marco Violi, according to Davey Alba's piece for Bloomberg News (article gifted by Davey for Truth in Common readers).

Here's another sitting U.S. congressman, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), blaming a "DEI person" – his reference to Kimberly Cheatle, director and 27-year veteran of the Secret Service – on Fox News:

It's Rep. Burchett's prerogative to call for a hearing into the Secret Service response. Cheatle will no doubt be held to account for how a 20-year-old was able to have a clear shot at the former president from a nearby rooftop, but that doesn't make Burchett's rhetoric any less toxic for people who are searching for answers, agents whose lives were at risk or the agency's female leader.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, the former president, the first responders and all who experienced this traumatic event. We denounce political violence of any kind, including the threats of violence that are all-too-casually made online or in person.

By now we know a little about the shooter and victims but motives and details are still unclear. Yet we feel compelled to understand the situation. Here are four tips for wading through the conspiracies and finding the facts surrounding this or other breaking news events:

1. Watch and share content from quality media outlets ONLY – not random YouTube videos or friends/influencers speculating on social media. If you do find yourself conversing on social media or in person, notice and name your emotional reactions – an evidence-based tip for stemming the spread of falsehoods (and avoiding arguments).
2. Follow the Associated Press (AP) for real-time reporting from the area. Keep the apnews.com tab open on your computer and refresh from time to time. On your phone, download the AP app from the App Store and turn on notifications. It's free, setting up an account is optional and you can hear from Evan Vucci, the photojournalist who took the photo with the flag in the background that you've seen everywhere,
3. For local sources, check the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's live news feed (Butler is close by) or reporting from the nonprofit outlet Spotlight PA.
4. To see a variety of sources in one place, download the Google News aggregator app and turn on notifications. Click on a story about the shooting then at the bottom choose "Full Coverage" and you'll see a variety of outlets reporting on the situation from different angles. 
5. If you use X/Twitter or Threads, follow individual outlets and reporters there – these algorithms will give you breaking news more immediately than Facebook or Instagram, though we suggest you follow your preferred outlets there also.
6. If friends are sharing rumors about the shooting, say NO --I don't want speculation, only facts. Then share some quality reporting in return.
7. The hardest one: Try to resist partisan responses. Blaming "the other side" is tempting – we all have strong thoughts on how we got to this point – but fanning these flames is counter-productive. See this column in Politico magazine [OPINION]

Hear reporters speak

If you're in the DMV, you can hear from excellent reporters themselves at one of our workshops this summer and fall. Each workshop is three sessions and features guest speakers from major outlets in session 2. We have a great lineup this year! Check out the events list on our website to learn more and register.

In DC:

• Teresa Frontado, former executive editor for DCist/WAMU, at Petworth Library on July 20
• Lauren Weber, accountability reporter covering health and science for the Washington Post, along with DCist's Eric Falquero at Palisades Library (DC) on July 24

In Baltimore County:

• Pam Wood, politics reporter for the Baltimore Banner, at Perry Hall Library on July 16
• Mindy Basara, medical reporter for WBAL, at Woodlawn Library on August 20
• Rebecca Pryor, general reporter at Fox 45, at Cockeysville Library on September 25

More info and registration links at truthincommon/events.

It's also a really good time to host workshops or talks on misinformation and fact-finding. If you'd like to explore having us come to your organization, reach out to at deanna@truthincommon.org.