Fact Check: "In October 2022, a QAnon supporter attempted to assassinate then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, fracturing her husband Paul Pelosi's skull with a hammer."
What We Know
On October 28, 2022, David DePape attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, during a home invasion at their residence in San Francisco. DePape used a hammer to strike Paul Pelosi, resulting in a fractured skull that required surgery (Wikipedia). The attack was politically motivated, as DePape had expressed intentions to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, believing she was involved in a conspiracy to manipulate the political landscape and steal votes from Donald Trump (BBC, AP News).
DePape had a history of mental health issues and was known to have embraced various conspiracy theories, including QAnon and Pizzagate, prior to the attack (Wikipedia). After the incident, he was arrested at the scene and later charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon (Wikipedia, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that a QAnon supporter attempted to assassinate Nancy Pelosi by attacking her husband is corroborated by multiple credible sources. The details of the attack, including the use of a hammer and the resulting injuries to Paul Pelosi, are consistently reported across various outlets (Wikipedia, New York Times).
DePape's motivations were explored during his trial, where it was revealed that he believed Nancy Pelosi was part of a corrupt elite manipulating the country (BBC, Independent). His defense acknowledged the attack but argued it was not directly related to her political role, a claim that prosecutors contested by emphasizing the political nature of the assault (BBC).
The evidence presented in court, including police body camera footage and DePape's own statements, supports the assertion that he intended to harm Nancy Pelosi and viewed her as a target due to her political position (Wikipedia, AP News).
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with the Wikipedia entry being a comprehensive summary of the incident, while the BBC and other news outlets provide detailed accounts of the trial and the motivations behind the attack.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a QAnon supporter attempted to assassinate Nancy Pelosi by fracturing her husband Paul Pelosi's skull with a hammer is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The attack was politically motivated, and DePape's actions were driven by conspiracy theories, confirming the accuracy of the statement.
Sources
- Attack on Paul Pelosi - Wikipedia
- David DePape: Paul Pelosi hammer suspect was into conspiracies - BBC
- Pelosi's Husband Is Gravely Injured in Hammer Attack by ... - New York Times
- Federal jury convicts man in hammer attack on Pelosi's ... - Reuters
- Man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi was into conspiracies - AP News
- Pelosi hammer attacker driven by 'bizarre' conspiracy, court told as ... - Independent
