President Donald Trump called the attempted bombings “unfortunate” on Friday, but not because of the many lives possibly endangered by the domestic terrorism — instead, because he thinks the coverage is dampening Republicans’ midterm enthusiasm.

Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows – news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018

Trump’s shift in tone from initial, short-lived condolences to blaming the media to now implying that the bombs are some kind of Democratic midterm boon is not wholly unexpected.

Some on the far-right have been painting the attempted bombings as conspiracies for days, accusing Democrats of planting the explosive devices among their own as a devious tactic to rile up sympathy and passion before the elections.