The FBI verified that Donald Trump, a former US president, was struck by either a bullet or a fragment during a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, dismissing doubts regarding the incident’s nature.
The FBI’s announcement specified that the projectile, discharged from an assailant’s rifle, impacted Trump’s right ear. This attack, marked by eight shots fired outside the security perimeter, was classified as an assassination attempt.
Doubts persisted about the object’s nature until the FBI confirmed it. Christopher Wray, the FBI Director, had previously expressed uncertainty about whether a bullet or shrapnel caused the injury.
Following this, Trump acknowledged Wray’s statement as an implicit apology on his Truth Social account. Additionally, Ronny Jackson, a Republican congressman and Trump’s former doctor supported the bullet theory on the same platform.
The incident resulted in serious injuries to two rally attendees and the death of a firefighter. It has since become a focal point of Trump’s campaign narrative, emphasizing his resilience and framing the event as a sacrifice for democracy. Moreover, Trump’s assertion of divine protection and the symbolic adoption of ear bandages by his supporters underscore the attack’s impact on his campaign.