Questions Surrounding the Nature of the Attack Resolved Amid Campaign Impact
The FBI confirmed on July 26, 2024, that former U.S. President Donald Trump was indeed struck by a bullet, or potentially a fragment of one, during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. This declaration put an end to doubts regarding the nature of his injury, which had initially been questioned as to whether it was caused by a bullet or shrapnel.
According to the FBI, Trump’s right ear was wounded by a bullet fired from the rifle of the deceased assailant, who had fired eight rounds from outside the event’s security perimeter. The attack, which resulted in two serious injuries and the death of a Pennsylvania firefighter, was classified as an assassination attempt. The assailant was killed by a U.S. Secret Service sniper.
Trump, who has long claimed that the FBI is part of a “deep state” conspiracy against him, reacted to the FBI’s statement with a post on his Truth Social platform, suggesting that the statement from FBI Director Christopher Wray was an apology, which he accepted. He also shared a letter from his former White House doctor, Dr. Ronny Jackson, confirming that the injury was almost certainly caused by a bullet.
Despite the FBI’s clarification, Trump’s narrative around the incident remains central to his campaign. He has repeatedly described the shooting as a pivotal moment in his political journey, telling supporters that he “took a bullet for democracy” and even claiming to have “God on my side” in reference to the attack. His supporters have embraced this narrative, with some wearing bandages on their right ears at rallies as a sign of solidarity.
The FBI’s statement comes after a public dispute between Trump and Director Wray, with Trump accusing Wray of political bias. Meanwhile, a New York Times investigation suggested that the trajectory of the bullet and evidence from the scene point to Trump being grazed by one of the first bullets fired by the assailant.
Despite the lack of official medical reports or statements from Trump’s current physician, his campaign continues to rely on Dr. Jackson’s conclusions to support the claim that the injury was caused by a bullet, further fueling the political narrative around the incident.
