Screenshot of X taken on July 17, 2024
Suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire at a pro-Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, killing one protester and wounding two others before being shot dead by a Secret Service sniper. The FBI is investigating a motive for the attack (archived here).
Mr Trump said in a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the bullet had “entered the top of my right ear” (archived here).
Contrary to claims circulating online, he did not mention being punched in the chest.
A reverse image search revealed that the original photo was taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci (archived here ).
High-resolution photos show that the purported bullet hole in Trump’s chest is actually a crease under the shoulder pad of the jacket of the Secret Service agent who was evacuating him from the stage.
Screenshot taken by the Associated Press on July 15, 2024 and enlarged by AFP.
Another angle taken by Vucci shows no bullet holes in Trump’s jacket.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump raises his fist as he is hurriedly escorted off the stage following an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. From apnewspic.twitter.com/VoAYqRC4QV
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) July 14, 2024
Photos taken by AFP photographer Rebecca Droke and graphic footage of the shooting do not show any chest wounds.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, with his face covered in blood and surrounded by Secret Service agents, is photographed being escorted off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Rebecca Droquet
Many social media posts went further, claiming that the bulletproof vest saved Trump’s life.
The Secret Service, which has come under intense scrutiny over the shooting, declined to comment on whether Trump was wearing a bulletproof vest, citing the ongoing investigation.
AFP contacted the Trump campaign for further comment but did not receive a response.
AFP here denied other claims of an assassination attempt on President Trump.
