DON THE ATTACK
Donald Trump hits back at FBI chief’s claims he may not have been shot as ex-president insists ‘bullet hit my ear hard’
Trump also claimed America has lost confidence in the FBI
DONALD Trump furiously hit back at the FBI on Thursday night after its top boss suggested he may not have been shot in the ear.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said there is "some question" about whether or not it was "a bullet or shrapnel" that hit the former president during an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
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He told the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that it is "conceivable" the bullet fired at Trump, "in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else."
But Trump, who has vividly described coming within "a quarter inch" to death was quick to clap back at the suggestion, insisting a bullet hit his ear, and "hit it hard."
"FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress yesterday that he wasn’t sure if I was hit by shrapnel, glass, or a bullet (the FBI never even checked!)" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Thursday night.
"But he was sure that Crooked Joe Biden was physically and cognitively 'uneventful' - Wrong!"
"No, it was, unfortunately, a bullet that hit my ear, and hit it hard," he added.
"There was no glass, there was no shrapnel. The hospital called it a 'bullet wound to the ear,' and that is what it was.
"No wonder the once storied FBI has lost the confidence of America!"
Trump was addressing supporters at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this month when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks opened fire.
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Cameras caught the moment the former president hit the deck as the gunfire erupted, clutching his blood-soaked ear as the surrounding crowd ducked for cover.
Gunman Crooks was killed by counter Secret Service snipers moments later, and officials are still investigating the case.
I'm a former US Navy SEAL sniper - I went to the Butler rooftop & the Secret Service left Trump 'extremely vulnerable'
Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, "With respect to former President Trump, there's some question about whether or not it was a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear.
"So it is conceivable, as I sit here right now, I don't know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else."
He added that the gunman flew a drone near the site of the rally roughly two hours before his attack and searched "How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?" just one week earlier - "the same day that it appears that he registered [for the Trump rally]."
The FBI boss noted that investigators recovered the drone in Crooks' car, and the bureau believes he was watching video streamed from the device to survey the grounds.
He also said that agents recovered a total of three "relatively crude" explosive devices, two of which were found in Crooks' car and another which was found at his home.
Crooks had a transmitter that would have allowed him to detonate the devices in his car remotely, but the receivers on the bombs were turned off, Wray said.
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The FBI continues to investigate the shooting that killed 50-year-old rally-goer Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74.
According to Wray, the FBI has not yet found a motive for the attack.
"That is obviously one of the central questions in our investigation, and it's been very frustrating to us that a lot of the usual kind of low-hanging-fruit places that we would find that have not yielded significant clues about his motive," he said.
His comments come after Secret Service agents jumped into action during the shooting, removing Trump from the rally as he defiantly raised his fist in the air.
The department has since, however, faced mounting pressure over why Crooks was able to open fire in the first place.
US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned this week after admitting her agency failed its foremost duty in protecting the nation's leaders.
"The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases. As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse," Cheatle wrote in a statement.
"However, this incident does not define us. We remain an organization based on integrity and staffed by individuals of exceptional dedication and talent.
"As I've stated, the Secret Service will move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner.
"We do not retreat from challenge. However, I do not want my calls for resignation to be a distraction from the great work each and every one of you do towards our vital mission."
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at during his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:10pm: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, later identified as the shooter, was first identified as a person of interest.
5:30pm: Crooks was spotted with a rangefinder.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
5:52pm: Crooks was spotted on the roof by Secret Service.
6:02pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:09pm: Two sniper teams posted on buildings to the north and south behind the rally stage repositioned and were locked on Crooks.
6:12pm: Gunshots were fired toward the stage as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Secret Service returns fire, confirming the shooter is dead.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
Trump was rushed to the hospital and treated for his injuries, and later appeared at the Republican National Convention wearing a white bandage over his right ear.
Hundreds of his supporters attendees wore faux bandages to show their support for Trump in the wake of the shooting.
One of the victims of the shooting, 57-year-old David Dutch, was released from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening.
He was in good condition after being hospitalized for 11 days.
The second victim, James Copenhaver, is still at Allegheny.
Trump reportedly authorized a to raise funds for victims following the shooting earlier this month.
Since the shooting, Trump has been busier than ever.
He notably attended the entirety of the Republican National Convention just days after the incident.
The 2024 hopeful also spoke out at his first rally since his assassination attempt, held at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20.
On July 24, he spoke at another rally, this time at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a new security team in tow.
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Following the attack, Trump also confirmed his running mate, Senator JD Vance.
He has since turned his attention to the Democratic Party's presumed presidential candidate nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, after his former rival, President Joe Biden, dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
Donald Trump's Full Statement Post-Rally Shooting
Former president Donald Trump provided an update on Truth Social after the shooting that took place at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
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