Claim:
Shooting victim Corey Comperatore’s name was mistakenly written on a jacket that was brought onto the stage at the Republican National Convention when former US President Donald Trump paid tribute to him.
Evaluation: Context
Firefighter Comperatore said the spelling on the jacket was intentionally misspelled because there wasn’t enough space on the uniform to write everything, long before the Republican National Convention.
On July 18, 2024, at the Republican National Convention, former US President Donald Trump paid tribute to firefighter Cory Comperatore, who had been killed in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally a few days earlier. A firefighter’s jacket and helmet bearing Comperatore’s name were placed next to Trump on the stage at the Republican National Convention, and Trump kissed them before a moment of silence.
A photo of Trump standing next to the jacket went viral, with many online pointing out that Comperatore’s name was misspelled – the jacket appeared to be missing an “A” and the name read as “Competore.”
Based on photo and video evidence from that night, we now know that the name on the jacket was misspelled.
However, the spelling mistake was not the result of an error by Trump or the RNC. Trump said it was an original firefighter’s jacket that Comperatore brought back from the Buffalo Township Fire Department, where he was fire chief. The department said the jacket was intentionally misspelled long ago because there wasn’t enough room for all the letters of Comperatore’s name on it.
Therefore, we rate this claim “True,” but with the necessary context.
A photo from Getty Images and a YouTube video of President Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention confirmed the spelling mistake on the jacket.
The Buffalo Township Fire Department, where Comperatore worked as a firefighter, posted a photo of his uniform, his jacket, on its Facebook page, with the same spelling mistake on it.
We’ve reached out to authorities to find out more about whether the spelling was intentional and if it was indeed the original uniform worn by the Comperatore on stage.
The fire department confirmed to CBS News that the spelling was intentional because there wasn’t enough space on the coat to fit all the letters of his name. Trump said during his speech that Comperatore’s fire department had sent his helmet and costume to the Republican National Convention.
Comperatore was shot and killed when a gunman tried to assassinate Trump at a rally just days before the Republican National Convention, hitting Trump in the ear and wounding two other men.
Trump paid tribute to Comperatore, saying, “He was a fine man and a highly respected former fire chief. … He selflessly gave his life as a human shield to protect others.” [his family] To avoid the bullets that were coming at him. He passed right over them and got shot. He was a really good guy.”
source
“Former President Donald Trump Kisses Buffalo Township Volunteer…” Getty Images, July 19, 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/former-president-donald-trump-kisses-the-buffalo-township-news-photo/2162002077. Accessed July 19, 2024.
Inc, Redmond Funeral Home. “Corey Comperatore Obituary | July 13, 2024 | Freeport, PA.” Corey Comperatore Obituary | July 13, 2024 | Freeport, PA, https://www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/Corey-Comperatore. Accessed July 19, 2024.
Tanos, Faris. President Trump Tributes Pennsylvania Firefighter Killed in Rally Shooting – CBS News. July 18, 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tribute-pennsylvania-firefighter-corey-comperatore-killed-rally/. Accessed July 19, 2024.
“Thousands Flock to Ballroom to Remember Life of Ex-Fire Chief Slain at Trump Rally.” Associated Press, July 18, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-fatal-shooting-corey-comperatore-8c09711e88a56432424ef3f980321ed2. Accessed July 19, 2024.
“President Trump Holds Moment of Silence at Republican National Convention to Honor Rally Shooting Victim Corey Comperatore.” ABC News, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HadkcyTakTA. Accessed July 19, 2024.
“President Trump Honors Firefighter Cory Comperatore, Killed in Assassination Attempt, in Republican National Convention Speech.” Forbes, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FU-ckIG9V4. Accessed July 19, 2024.
