The F.B.I. confirmed on Friday that Donald J. Trump was indeed struck by a “bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces,” which finally provided a clear explanation regarding the former president’s ear injury during an assassination attempt earlier this month.
F.B.I. Director’s Comments and Political Fallout
The ambiguity surrounding Mr. Trump’s injury sparked a political controversy following comments made by F.B.I. director Christopher A. Wray before Congress. Mr. Wray’s statement raised questions about whether the ear injury was caused by a bullet or shrapnel, which led to backlash from Mr. Trump and his supporters.
The Butler, Pa. Rally Shooting Incident
The incident took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. on July 13, where a gunman, Thomas Crooks, opened fire, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The shooter was subsequently neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
Donald Trump’s Account and Response
Mr. Trump claimed that he narrowly escaped a fatal injury, attributing his survival to divine intervention after sustaining a bloody ear. He expressed his discontent with Mr. Wray’s insinuation that shrapnel might have caused the injury, emphasizing that it was indeed a bullet.
F.B.I.’s Clarification and Investigation
Following the backlash, the F.B.I. released a statement confirming that they were examining bullet fragments to determine the nature of the projectile that hit Mr. Trump’s ear. The agency reiterated that there was no doubt about the attempt on the former president’s life by Mr. Crooks.
Analysis and Gun Expert Insights
An analysis by The New York Times suggested that Mr. Trump may have been grazed by the first of the eight bullets fired by the gunman. Experts pointed out that bullets from an AR-15-style rifle can fragment upon impact, potentially causing lethal shrapnel injuries.
