FACT CHECK: Viral X Post Incorrectly Claims FBI Ballistics Test Linked to Trump Rally Shooting
A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) falsely claims that a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ballistics test determined that former President Donald Trump was not shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The post suggests that if Trump had been shot in the ear, he would have suffered severe injuries, such as a brain concussion and a broken neck. However, the FBI has denied the validity of this claim, stating they did not conduct any ballistics test related to the incident, nor did they mention such a test in their official updates. As of July 24, Congress voted to create a bipartisan task force to investigate the shooting that occurred during Trump’s rally. The claim shared in the post has been deemed false by fact-checkers, and the FBI continues its investigation through searches and interviews, while remaining silent on the alleged ballistics test.
A viral post shared on X claims a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ballistics test determined 2024 Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump was not shot in the ear during his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
JUST IN FROM FBI – BALLISTIC TEST MONDAY BRINGS QUESTIONS
A ballistic test at the Butler Fair Grounds on Monday during the USSS Hearing determined that Trump could not have been shot in the ear or he would have suffered a brain concussion/contusion and a broken neck pic.twitter.com/9QesVx9OLh— Frank Sowa (@FrankSowa1) July 23, 2024
Verdict: False
The claim is false. An FBI spokesperson denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.
Fact Check:
On July 24, the House voted unanimously to “create a bipartisan task force” to investigate the shooting that occurred at Trump’s rally, according to Politico. The names of the members who will serve on the task force are expected to be released “by the end of the week,” the outlet reported.
The X post, viewed over six million times as of writing, claims an FBI ballistics test determined Trump was not shot in the ear during his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. “JUST IN FROM FBI – BALLISTIC TEST MONDAY BRINGS QUESTIONS,” the post begins.
“A ballistic test at the Butler Fair Grounds on Monday during the USSS Hearing determined that Trump could not have been shot in the ear or he would have suffered a brain concussion/contusion and a broken neck,” it continues. The post includes a photo of Trump being escorted offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents following the shooting. His right ear is visibly bloody.
The claim is false. The FBI did not mention anything about performing a ballistics test in a July 15 statement providing updates on the shooting. The statement indicates the Bureau had conducted searches of the shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks’ home and vehicle and were also analyzing his electronic devices. In addition, the Bureau stated it had conducted almost 100 interviews in its investigation of the shooting. Likewise, the FBI has not referenced the purported ballistics test on its verified social media accounts. (RELATED: Did The Trump Shooter Post ‘July 13 Will Be My Premiere’ On Steam?)
The purported ballistics test was also not referenced during a July 22 hearing in which former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified about the shooting before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. There was also no mention of Trump suffering a brain concussion or contusion or a broken neck in the FBI’s statement or during the recent hearing.
Check Your Fact also found no credible news reports to support the claim. In fact, the opposite is true. On July 24, Lead Stories reported the claim was false.
Furthermore, an FBI spokesperson denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.
“The FBI has not released a ballistics report,” the same spokesperson said.
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