crisis actors

Crisis actors is a conspiracy theory term referring to people allegedly hired to pose as victims, witnesses, or grieving relatives at mass shootings, terrorist attacks, or other tragedies.

Believers claim these actors are employed by governments or shadowy organizations to stage fake disasters and manipulate public opinion, particularly around gun control.

The term gained traction after the Sandy Hook shooting and is used to harass actual survivors.

Trolls accused the grieving parents of being crisis actors.

The concept has no basis in fact.