Photo shows Secret Service agent's jacket, not Trump gunshot wound
- Published on July 17, 2024 at 22:34
- 3 min read
- By Nahiara S. ALONSO, AFP USA
- Translation and adaptation Daniel GALGANO
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"WHEN TRUMP GOT SHOT IT APPEARS THAT THE BULLETS PIERCED HIS SUIT," says a July 13, 2024 X post sharing a photo circling Trump's torso.
Similar claims have circulated elsewhere on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Threads -- including in Spanish, French, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, Tamil and Vietnamese.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire during a July 13 Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one attendee and critically injuring two others before a Secret Service sniper team shot and killed him. The FBI is investigating the motive for the attack (archived here).
Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that a bullet had "pierced the upper part of my right ear" (archived here).
He did not mention getting hit in the chest, contrary to the claims circulating online.
A reverse image search revealed the original picture was taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci (archived here).
The high-resolution photo shows the supposed bullet hole in Trump's chest is, in fact, a fold under the shoulder pad in the jacket of one of the Secret Service agents evacuating him from the stage.
Another angle captured by Vucci shows no bullet hole in Trump's jacket.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump raises his fist as he is rushed off stage after an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. @apnewspic.twitter.com/VoAYqRC4QV
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) July 14, 2024
Pictures taken by AFP photographer Rebecca Droke and graphic footage of the shooting also depict no chest wound.
Many social media posts go a step further, claiming a bulletproof vest saved Trump's life.
The Secret Service -- which is under intense scrutiny over the shooting -- declined to comment on whether Trump was wearing a bulletproof vest, citing the ongoing investigation.
AFP contacted the Trump campaign for additional comment, but a response was not forthcoming.
AFP has debunked other claims about the attempted assassination of Trump here.
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