The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) is currently examining several metal fragments discovered near the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if an assassin’s bullet or other debris potentially grazed former President Donald J. Trump’s head, causing a bloody injury to his ear. A federal law enforcement official has confirmed this information.
The F.B.I. has requested to interview Mr. Trump as part of its broader investigation. The aim is to gain insights into the shooting incident and to possibly obtain a more comprehensive account of his injury. The official, who chose to remain anonymous, shared this detail to discuss the ongoing inquiry.
Since the shooting incident on July 13, there have been lingering questions regarding the object that struck the Republican nominee for president. Mr. Trump has asserted that he was hit by a bullet and has described his survival as a result of divine intervention. In contrast, F.B.I. officials have been more cautious, emphasizing the need to analyze the evidence before definitively determining the nature of the object that struck Mr. Trump—whether it was a bullet, a metal shard, or something else.
The F.B.I.’s shooting reconstruction team is actively examining evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, and the investigation is still ongoing. Apart from injuring Mr. Trump, the gunman identified as Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, also shot three rally attendees, resulting in one fatality.
When asked about whether the bureau had requested to review the former president’s medical records following the incident, Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, did not provide a response. It is worth noting that Mr. Trump has not made his medical records public.