Fact: Jeff Bauman is not an actor.

The Conspiracy

Jeff Bauman is the man who we see in this photograph.

Many people claim that this man was an actor, possibly a man named Nick Vogt, who lost both legs in (and a pinky finger) after stepping on an IED in Afganistan. This is an absurd claim.

The Truth

First, Nick Vogt is not an actor. He's a (relatively) famous individual who suffered a significant injury. The media followed his recovery. Why would the "conspirators" hire Nick, who is already famous, to be the face of another conspiracy?

Second, it's pretty clear that these are two different people. This photo was posted on this subreddit.

Second, Jeff Bauman did indeed suffer at the hands of two bombers. His backstory is well known and checks out by multiple sources (worked at CostCo, well liked among his friends). He has been made into an icon not because he was part of a larger conspiracy of which there is no proof, but because he was shown in the iconic image at the top of this post and the media made a spectacle of him.

Bauman should be commended for the way he has treated his ordeal, not made a part of a conspiracy. Doing so disrespects the rest of victims.

Jeff Bauman, middle right, struggles on the ground after the bombing. 

Bauman immediately after the bombing in a pool of his own blood.

Bauman visited by Bradley Cooper and Julian Edelman.

Bauman and Carlos Arredondo, one of his rescuers.

Bauman gives fellow amputee Sydney Corcoran the gift of Macy's.