Fact Check: Trump Survived an Attempted Assassination at a Pennsylvania Rally
What We Know
On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt. A 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle, hitting Trump in the upper right ear and killing one attendee, Corey Comperatore, while injuring two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who are currently in stable condition (Pennsylvania State Police). The incident has been officially classified as an assassination attempt by the FBI, which is investigating the shooting as potential domestic terrorism (FBI Press Release).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding the claim of an assassination attempt on Trump is well-documented and corroborated by multiple credible sources. The Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the identities of the victims and the circumstances of the shooting, which aligns with reports from the FBI and various news outlets (Pennsylvania State Police, FBI Press Release).
Moreover, the Secret Service acknowledged operational failures during the event, leading to the suspension of six personnel. This admission underscores the seriousness of the incident and the potential threat to Trump’s safety (BBC News, ABC News). Trump himself commented on the situation, indicating that there were mistakes made by the Secret Service, which further validates the claim of an assassination attempt (BBC News).
The reliability of the sources is high, with official statements from law enforcement agencies and reputable news organizations providing consistent accounts of the events. The Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI are authoritative sources, and their involvement lends credibility to the narrative of an assassination attempt.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump survived an attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally is supported by multiple credible sources, including law enforcement and media reports. The incident involved gunfire directed at Trump, resulting in injuries and fatalities, and has been classified as an assassination attempt by the FBI. The operational failures of the Secret Service during this incident further confirm the seriousness of the threat posed to Trump.
Sources
- Butler Investigation Updates
- Pennsylvania State Police Identify Victims Shot During ...
- Update on the FBI Investigation of the Attempted ...
- Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
- Secret Service suspended staff for failings over Trump ...
- 6 Secret Service agents suspended over conduct ... - ABC News
- Assassination attempt on Trump at Pennsylvania rally leaves 2 ...
- Victims of Butler Trump rally shooting still looking for ...