Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, thanks to a last-minute head tilt that saved his life. FBI Director Christopher Wray, during a testimony before the US House Judiciary Committee, raised doubts about whether Trump was actually hit by a bullet or just shrapnel.
Wray, under pressure following the assassination attempt, shared new details about the incident. He expressed uncertainty, saying, "Concerning former President Trump, there’s some question about whether it was a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear." Wray's testimony highlighted significant security lapses that allowed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to attend the rally despite being identified as suspicious.
Crooks managed to elevate himself onto the roof of a building within range of the stage using mechanical equipment and vertical piping. Armed with an AR-style rifle equipped with a collapsible stock, Crooks fired a total of eight shots before being shot dead by a sniper. During the attack, he killed firefighter Corey Comperatore and severely injured two others, including Trump.
Wray noted that Crooks had searched online for information about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, specifically asking, "How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?" This indicated Crooks' state of mind and potential intentions.
The incident has been regarded as a significant failure of the Secret Service, responsible for protecting Trump. In response, many of Trump's supporters showed their solidarity by wearing bandages on their ears, similar to the one Trump wore after the injury, during the Republican National Convention.
While the political impact of whether it was a bullet or shrapnel may be minimal, as the image of a bleeding Trump raising his fist has become a symbol of resilience, the truth behind the incident remains crucial and must be uncovered.
