On Friday, July 26, former US President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Though he escaped unharmed, a bullet hit his right ear, causing a minor injury. The incident also resulted in the death of former fire chief Corey Comperatore and left two others injured.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed in a statement released nearly two weeks after the attempt on Trump’s life that his right ear was indeed struck by a bullet. Trump announced that he would return to the site of the incident to hold a campaign rally.
In a post on his new social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his acceptance of the FBI’s statement and his intentions to commemorate the fallen hero Corey and the injured patriots at the upcoming event in Butler, Pennsylvania. He emphasized the spirit of resilience and fight that will define the day.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in Congress that Trump was hit by a bullet or shrapnel, marking the bureau’s clearest description of Trump’s injuries to date. Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham urged Wray to clarify the discrepancies in testimonies presented during the hearing.
Graham emphasized the importance of upholding the FBI’s credibility and transparency in addressing the attempted assassination of Trump. The call for accountability comes amid ongoing scrutiny and speculation surrounding the incident.
During a speech at the Turning Point USA summit on July 26, video footage showed Trump without bandages on his right ear, raising questions about the severity of his injuries and the need for detailed medical reports.
Descriptions of Trump’s injuries have largely been based on his own accounts and statements from former White House physician Ronny Jackson. Trump’s campaign team and law enforcement officials have refrained from providing detailed explanations, fueling conspiracy theories and misinformation.
Following the shooting, Trump immediately took to Truth Social to report being hit by a bullet that penetrated his right ear. Days later, he accepted the Republican nomination for president at the party’s national convention, recounting the harrowing experience of the assassination attempt.
Jackson, who has been overseeing Trump’s treatment since the night of the shooting, detailed the extent of the bullet wound in a letter last week, shedding light on the severity of the injury and the medical interventions required.
In response to inquiries about releasing Trump’s hospital records, his spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the media for questioning the validity of the assassination attempt. He stressed the need for factual reporting and transparency in the face of skepticism and misinformation.
Cheung highlighted the tragic nature of doubting a serious incident that resulted in loss of life and injuries, urging individuals to reject baseless conspiracy theories driven by political motives. He reaffirmed the provision of Trump’s medical reports and the commitment to truth and accountability in the aftermath of the attempted assassination.