NBC News turned to a University of Cincinnati expert on conspiracy theories to explain why politicians immediately spread unfounded rumors on social

Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home in what officials are calling a politically-motivated assassination. Republican Senator Mike Lee is facing fierce criticism after baselessly blaming the assassination on the far left.

Conspiracy theorists and senators alike are baselessly speculating about the brutal shooting spree that left two dead and two injured, Josh Marcus reports

“For the last five years, MAGA has been bathed in political violence,” Murphy wrote. “Most importantly, MAGA’s celebration of January 6th and Trump’s decision to pardon ALL the Jan 6 rioters — including the most violent — became a clear endorsement of violence committed in his name.”

After the murders, Gov. Tim Walz called for "grace and compassion and vision and compromise and decency." Some on the right chose a different course.