According to the authorities in the United States, there is nothing to indicate that the bridge collapse on Tuesday was a deliberate act or a terrorist attack. But on social media, conspiracy theories continue to flow.
– I ask everyone to have some decency. Don’t spread misinformation. Don’t pretend you’re a bridge engineer on the internet, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pleaded after the incident.
The bridge collapse in Baltimore
Dirty fuel is singled out as a possible cause of the bridge accident in Baltimore
Two bodies found in water after bridge collapse in Baltimore
Andrew Tate and Alex Jones: “World War III”
Several major controversial internet profiles quickly shared various theories that contradict the authorities’ description that it was an accident.
According to CNNwho reviewed several of the posts, Andrew Tate said less than six hours after the bridge collapse, the ship had been subjected to a cyber attack.
After a day, the post was marked as “misleading” by X, after having the mark “speculative” for a period. By then, over 18 million users will have already seen the post, according to CNN.
“Special situation in the USA”
During Tuesday, the term “Black swan” started trending on X and gathered large numbers of American conspiracy theorists, writes Wired. The term is used to imply that a hidden layer of power, a so-called “deep state”, is involved and that the bridge collapse would therefore be likened to a false flag operation.
– In the US, we have a special situation where people like Alex Jones or former security advisor Mike Flynn have large followings on social media and can quickly spread their alternative explanations to millions of followers, explains Andreas Önnerfors, docent in the history of ideas and expert on conspiracy theories.
Was the bridge collapse really an act of terrorism and had Simpson already foreseen the accident? Yes, at least if you believe the conspiracy theories spread after the bridge collapse in Baltimore. See more about them in the video.