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. The FBI’s confirmation put to rest previous doubts about the nature of his injury. The incident occurred as Trump was addressing supporters, with a gunman firing eight bullets from outside the event’s security perimeter.
July 13, 2024 – Evening – Following the shooting, Trump was seen with blood on his right ear. Initial confusion surrounded whether the injury was caused by a bullet or shrapnel. The FBI initially indicated some uncertainty about the exact nature of the projectile, leading to speculation and controversy.
July 14, 2024 – FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress, acknowledging the doubts about whether Trump’s injury was from a bullet or shrapnel. This testimony fueled further debate and criticism from Trump and his supporters.
July 15, 2024 – In response to Wray’s comments, Trump used his Truth Social platform to address the FBI’s statement. He sarcastically accepted Wray’s “apology” and reiterated his belief that he was hit by a bullet. Trump’s former White House physician, Ronny Jackson, a current Republican congressman, publicly supported this view, stating there was no evidence of anything other than a bullet causing the wound.
July 16, 2024 – The FBI released a definitive statement confirming that the injury was indeed caused by a bullet or its fragments. The Bureau also described the attack as an assassination attempt, as the gunman had fired from outside the rally’s security perimeter. This announcement ended weeks of speculation about the nature of Trump’s injury.
July 17, 2024 – The New York Times published a detailed investigation analyzing bullet trajectories, footage, photos, and audio. Their report strongly suggested that Trump was grazed by one of the initial bullets fired by the gunman. The investigation lent credibility to the bullet theory but did not provide a conclusive medical assessment.
July 18, 2024 – Trump’s campaign used the incident to bolster his narrative of victimhood, portraying himself as a defender of democracy. At a rally in Michigan, Trump referred to the attack as taking “a bullet for democracy” and described the incident as a significant moment in his campaign. He also claimed divine support in his speech at the Republican National Convention, where he was officially nominated for president.
July 19, 2024 – Trump’s supporters began wearing bandages on their right ears at rallies, symbolizing solidarity with the former president. The symbolic gesture highlighted the attack’s impact on Trump’s campaign and his followers’ response.
July 20, 2024 – Trump’s campaign refrained from releasing new medical reports or statements from his current physician. Instead, they continued to reference Jackson’s earlier statements. The campaign leveraged the incident to emphasize Trump’s resilience and frame the attack as part of a broader political struggle.
In summary, the FBI’s confirmation that Donald Trump was indeed hit by a bullet during the July 13 attack has clarified the nature of the injury but has also intensified the political narrative surrounding the event. As the investigation continues, Trump’s campaign remains focused on using the incident to rally support and amplify his message of resilience and defiance.
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