Fact Check: "Why didn’t Trump's ear show any injury after Butler, Pennsylvania?"
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. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle, with one bullet grazing Trump's upper right ear, causing a reported injury (source-1). Following the incident, Trump was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital, although specific details about his injury were not immediately disclosed by his team (source-5).
Despite the injury, there have been claims circulating that Trump's ear showed no visible damage after the incident. Some sources have suggested that images purportedly showing Trump's ear without injury were misidentified, as they were actually taken prior to the shooting (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Trump's ear did not show any injury post-incident is complicated by conflicting reports and the nature of the injury itself. According to multiple reports, including one from USA Today, Trump was indeed shot in the ear, and the FBI confirmed that a bullet struck him (source-3, source-8).
However, the extent of the injury and the healing process have raised questions. A plastic surgeon commented on Trump's ear appearance a year after the incident, noting that it looked "impressive," which may suggest effective healing or cosmetic intervention (source-6). This could explain why some images do not show visible signs of injury.
The reliability of sources discussing Trump's injury varies. For example, the AP and USA Today are reputable news organizations, while some social media claims and less formal outlets may lack rigorous fact-checking. The potential for misinformation is heightened in politically charged contexts, such as this incident.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump's ear showed no injury after the assassination attempt is Unverified. While there are credible reports confirming that Trump was shot in the ear, the visibility of any injury in subsequent images is unclear and may be influenced by factors such as healing and cosmetic treatment. The conflicting narratives and the nature of the sources involved make it difficult to conclusively verify the claim.
Sources
- Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
- After Trump assassination attempt, questions remain ...
- Was Trump really shot? Yes, despite conspiracy theories ...
- Plastic Surgeon Walks Us Through Trump's Ear Injury One ...
- What We Do and Don't Know About Trump's Ear Wound
- Plastic Surgeon Tells Us Why Trump's Ear Looks 'Impressive ...
- In pictures: Trump injured in assassination attempt
- FBI Confirms Trump Hit by Bullet in Assassination Attempt ...
