Some Twitter users are speculating that the Aurora, Colo., shooter was inspired by comments made by Rush Limbaugh. The shooting occurred at a midnight premiere of the movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” On Tuesday July 17, Limbaugh said on his radio show that the name of the villain in the movie is a thinly-veiled dig at Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney:

RUSH: Have you heard this new movie, the Batman movie, what is it, The Dark Knight Lights Up or whatever the name is. That’s right, Dark Knight Rises. Lights Up, same thing. Do you know the name of the villain in this movie? Bane. The villain in The Dark Knight Rises is named Bane, B-a-n-e. What is the name of the venture capital firm that Romney ran and around which there’s now this make-believe controversy? Bain. The movie has been in the works for a long time. The release date’s been known, summer 2012 for a long time. Do you think that it is accidental that the name of the really vicious fire breathing four eyed whatever it is villain in this movie is named Bane?

https://twitter.com/14tigersis14/status/226286676211806208

Hannity beck limbaugh paraphernalia

Found at aurora shooters home — L J (@jakecovo) July 20, 2012

https://twitter.com/mbchampagne/status/226294103317561344

"@GlobalGrind: BREAKING NEWS: We Pray! 14 Dead And 50 Wounded At Denver Movie Theater… http://t.co/PkAHRqvQ"Rush Limbaugh connection? — Nick the Frick (@Jelaci_Jaxun) July 20, 2012

.@EricTTung Wondering about a connection between Rush Limbaugh's Dark Knight Bane Diatribe & the Horrific Aurora Theater Shooting This AM — Jon Hardie (@pocojuan) July 20, 2012



https://twitter.com/MentalRiot/status/226257687179059200

so very sad. I wonder what Rush Limbaugh will say today, considering how he incited hatred against the film http://t.co/3PuVAfy6 — Gloria Brame (@DrGloriaBrame) July 20, 2012

https://twitter.com/PeacefulInfidel/status/226290397209587713

https://twitter.com/Phnarrcissist/status/226297688780587008

But it was Democrats — not Limbaugh — who first linked the “Dark Knight Rises” villain to Romney. This is from an article in The Washington Examiner published Monday July 16, the day before Limbaugh’s comments: