Featured Image Credit: Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, US News, Politics, Twitter
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, US News, Politics, Twitter
A new photo of Donald Trump has re-ignited a wild conspiracy theory about his assassination attempt on social media.
For those who need a reminder, in 2024, while he was in the middle of his presidential campaign against Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump was shot at while delivering a speech at an open-air event near Butler, Pennsylvania.
Whilst addressing the public, the Republican was targeted by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired bullets at him using an AR-15-style rifle from the roof of a nearby building.
Despite eight rounds being fired at Trump at the time, only one struck him, hitting his right ear only.
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But, two other bullets critically injured a pair of audience members, whilst a third was tragically killed at the scene.
Crooks was shot and killed by a member of the US Secret Service, moments after the assassination attempt.
Since then, bizarre conspiracy theories have emerged as people began to insist that the shooting was staged, with some believing Trump’s ear was never actually injured.
And now, a recent picture posted by the White House of Trump, which was taken on Saturday (21 June), has seemingly fuelled the wild theories.
Taken side on, the snap showed the US President wearing a MAGA hat and more importantly, giving a clear view of his ear.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote: "Isn’t this the ear that apparently took a bullet?”
Another joked: “Trump should forget the Nobel peace prize and go for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for naturally regrowing an ear. It's never been done before.”
“And all they do is show us his undamaged ear that was never struck by a bullet,” claimed another theorist.
Meanwhile, someone else boldly declared: “There is absolutely nothing to see on Trump's ear now. No scar, nothing. That is really impossible and therefore totally unbelievable. Staged!”
“That ear looks perfect, not a scratch or scar anywhere to be seen..,” commented another social media user.
But, of course, others chimed in to shut down the far-fetched claims, with one writing: “How exactly was it faked in an outdoor setting with 1000’s of witnesses and dozens of cameras. One of those cameras picked up the bullet in mid air.”
Another penned: “This man came within inches of getting his head blown off and you say stupid sh** like this.”
With a third angrily writing: “What you're insinuating is horrible. Trump was nearly killed. Cory Compentore was a father and a firefighter who was murdered by that whacko. Suggesting this was a setup is low. Next time, please think before you post something.. Sheesh.”