Fact Check: Trump was saved from assassination by luck during a rally in 2024.

Fact Check: "Trump was saved from assassination by luck during a rally in 2024"

What We Know

On July 13, 2024, former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle, striking Trump in the upper right ear and killing one audience member, Corey Comperatore, while critically injuring two others (source-1).

The incident unfolded rapidly; within four seconds of the first shot, a member of the Butler County Emergency Service Unit returned fire, hitting Crooks's rifle, which prevented him from continuing his assault. Twelve seconds later, Crooks was shot and killed by a Counter Sniper Team from the United States Secret Service (source-1). Following the incident, Trump described his survival as a matter of luck, stating, “But I got lucky. God was with me, I tell you” during a private event (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Trump was saved from assassination by luck is supported by multiple sources detailing the events of the shooting and Trump's own reflections on the incident. The timeline of events indicates that Trump's survival was indeed precarious, as he was shot just inches away from a potentially fatal injury (source-3). Trump's acknowledgment of his luck in surviving the incident adds a personal affirmation to the claim.

However, it is important to consider the context and the reliability of the sources. The primary accounts come from reputable news organizations such as The New York Times and PBS, which provide detailed coverage of Trump's statements and the incident itself (source-2, source-6). The information is corroborated by eyewitness accounts and official reports regarding the shooting and the response from law enforcement (source-1, source-4).

While some sources may exhibit a degree of bias, particularly those that focus on Trump's political persona, the factual elements of the assassination attempt and Trump's subsequent remarks are consistent across multiple credible outlets.

Conclusion

The claim that Trump was saved from assassination by luck during a rally in 2024 is True. The evidence shows that he was shot in a manner that could have been fatal, but he survived due to a combination of quick law enforcement response and sheer chance. Trump's own statements reinforce the idea that he views his survival as a matter of luck.

Fact Check: Trump was saved from assassination by luck during a rally in 2024.