How dare they.
On late Thursday, former President Donald Trump forcefully rejected FBI Director Christopher Wray’s recent comments about the nature of the injury he sustained during a campaign rally earlier this month. Wray had suggested that the investigation into the incident, which occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, was still uncertain regarding whether Trump was hit by a bullet or shrapnel.
In a detailed post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Wray for what he deemed misleading remarks concerning the assassination attempt and took issue with Wray’s views on President Biden’s cognitive abilities and the ongoing prosecution of January 6th protesters. Trump firmly clarified that he was indeed struck by a bullet, not shrapnel or glass, as Wray had implied. “It was a bullet, unfortunately,” Trump stated emphatically. “The hospital described it as a ‘bullet wound to the ear,’ and that’s exactly what it was. This type of misinformation only further erodes trust in the FBI.”
Wray’s testimony before Congress on Wednesday had stirred controversy. He mentioned that there remained some uncertainty whether the object that injured Trump was a bullet or shrapnel, an assertion that was met with swift backlash. The FBI had previously characterized the event as a deliberate attack, stating that it was dedicating significant resources to investigate the shooter and the circumstances leading to the violent act. The Bureau also emphasized that its Shooting Reconstruction Team was actively analyzing evidence from the scene.
Footage of the incident showed Trump reacting to gunfire by grabbing his ear and dropping to the ground as Secret Service agents rushed to his aid. The visible bleeding from his ear was evident in subsequent footage. Analysis by The New York Times later confirmed that a bullet, not debris, was responsible for the injury.
Since the incident, Trump has consistently worn a bandage on his right ear during public appearances. Updates on his recovery have been sparse, largely provided through family members. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), who has been involved in Trump’s medical care, offered a detailed account of the injury. Jackson noted that the bullet came perilously close to Trump’s head and caused a significant wound that has since been healing.
Rep. Jackson described the injury as a serious one, with initial heavy bleeding and swelling, though he assured that the wound is gradually healing. This incident underscores the intense scrutiny and ongoing debate surrounding the attack on Trump and the broader implications for public trust in federal agencies.
