Trump Turns Shooting into Campaign Narrative Amid FBI Confirmation
On July 26, 2024, the FBI confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump was struck by a bullet, or a fragment of one, during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. This statement clarified previous uncertainties about the nature of Trump’s injury, which had been under public scrutiny following the shooting.
The FBI revealed that the bullet, or its fragments, struck Trump’s right ear after a gunman fired eight rounds from outside the event’s security perimeter. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of two rally attendees and a 50-year-old firefighter, was classified by the FBI as an assassination attempt. The assailant was shot dead by a U.S. Secret Service sniper.
Previously, there had been some confusion over whether Trump’s injury was caused by a bullet or shrapnel. FBI Director Christopher Wray had suggested uncertainty in a statement on July 24, but the FBI’s official position now confirms the wound was indeed from a bullet.
Trump, who has consistently alleged the FBI’s involvement in a “deep state” conspiracy against him, took to his Truth Social platform to comment on the latest statement. He claimed it was the closest he would get to an apology from Director Wray. Trump also shared a post from his former White House doctor, Dr. Ronny Jackson, who reaffirmed that there was “absolutely no evidence” to suggest the injury was anything other than a bullet wound.
Since the attack, Trump has incorporated the shooting into his campaign narrative, emphasizing that he “took a bullet for democracy” during rallies. He also invoked a religious tone during his Republican National Convention speech, declaring that he had “God on my side” regarding the event. Many of his supporters have embraced the imagery of the attack, with some wearing bandages on their right ears at rallies as a sign of solidarity.
On July 25, Trump denied Wray’s earlier comments, asserting that there was no glass or shrapnel involved in the injury and again insisting that the wound was from a bullet. A detailed investigation by the New York Times, published on July 26, examined footage, photos, and bullet trajectories, suggesting that Trump was grazed by the first bullet fired during the attack.
Trump’s campaign has refrained from releasing official medical reports or statements from his current physician, instead relying on Dr. Jackson’s assertions to reinforce the bullet theory. This continues to fuel the political narrative surrounding the shooting, further integrating it into Trump’s presidential campaign strategy.
