The CIA has publicly refuted claims linking a recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump to its controversial MKUltra program.
The agency’s forceful denial comes amidst a swirl of theories circulating on social media platforms following the July 13 incident in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old lone gunman, opened fire during a Trump rally, prompting wild speculation about potential government involvement.
Some accounts on X, amidst the lack of concrete information from officials like the Secret Service and FBI, have been pushing theories suggesting Crooks could be a brainwashed operative activated by a modern version of the infamous MKUltra project.
The CIA issued a firm rebuttal following these theories, Gizmodo reported.
A spokesperson told the outlet, “These claims are utterly false, absurd, and damaging,” further noting that “the CIA had no relationship whatsoever with Thomas Crooks.”
The agency further emphasized that the MKUltra program was terminated over four decades ago, with declassified information available on their official website.
This direct engagement with public discourse marks a significant shift in the CIA’s communication strategy, departing from their typical “no comment” stance on so-called conspiracy-related matters.
The MKUltra program, which came to light in the 1970s, involved unethical experiments aimed at developing mind control techniques.
While the program’s existence was confirmed, Gizmodo states its alleged success in creating programmable assassins remains unsubstantiated.
Gizmodo further acknowledged that the persistence of theories such as MKUltra’s influence on individuals like Crooks often stems from historical precedents of government misconduct.
The documented abuses within the MKUltra program, including non-consensual drug administration and various forms of torture, serve as a stark reminder of past ethical breaches.
Some X users, however, aren’t buying the CIA’s denial of the MKUltra theory. “Sure No MKUltra in Trump shooter case. We believe the CIA. Got it,” Roger Stone mocked.
Modernity News said that the CIA’s recent statement “has only reinforced the theory because no one believes a word they say.”
One user posted, “Welp, I’ll take this as confirmation that the CIA did, in fact, use MKUltra on the Trump shooter.”
As the investigation into Crooks’ motives continues, the incident underscores the complex interplay between historical government misconduct and the challenges faced by intelligence agencies in maintaining public trust.
Resist the Mainstream previously reported that leaked text messages from countersnipers during Trump’s rally in Butler revealed the shocking truth about when law enforcement actually first became aware of Crooks’ presence.
This discovery contradicts earlier FBI claims, raising serious questions about the security failures that nearly cost Trump his life.
One message, sent at 4:27 PM, placed Crooks at the scene more than 90 minutes before he opened fire on Trump.
“Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know,” another message said.
“I’m just letting you know because you see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there.”
