Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Photograph of a hole in Donald Trump’s blazer proves that was hit by a bullet at his chest during an assassination attempt.
Fact
No evidence to prove that Trump was hit at the chest. Photo actually shows a fold in a Security Service officer’s blazer.
Following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday, several social media users claimed that the former US President was shot in the chest, and was only saved by a bulletproof vest. Those alleging the same shared a photograph purportedly showing a hole in Donald Trump’s blazer as evidence of him taking a bullet on his chest. Newschecker, however, found that the viral image in fact shows a fold in a Security Service officer’s coat, and not a hole in Trump’s blazer.
Multiple X users shared the photograph to claim that a bullet hit Donald Trump at his chest.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Donald Trump,” “bullet” and “chest” on Google did not yield any credible report stating that the former US President was shot at his chest.
We then looked up the viral image on Google lens which yielded an X post by ABC News, dated July 14, 2024. Carrying images from Trump’s rally, it stated, “Former Pres. Trump was swarmed by Secret Service agents and rushed off stage as possible shots were heard during a rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter and one bystander are confirmed dead, according to the Butler County district attorney.”
One of the images featured Trump and Secret Service officers in the same position as seen in the viral image. A closer look at the image reveals that a fold in one of the officers’ uniform has been misconstrued as a hole in Trump’s blazer. Additionally, a slight variation in the colour of the two cloth pieces can also be seen.
We also found another photograph of Trump following the assassination attempt on the official Instagram account of Evan Vucci, a photographer with AP who covered the rally. In the photograph, showing a full view of Trump’s blazer, no such hole near his chest is visible.
Also Read: Viral Video Of US President Joe Biden Talking About Magical Pistachio Is Actually Deepfake
Donald Trump Suffers Ear Injury In Alleged Assassination Attempt
Multiple reports state that his ear was wounded in the firing. Elaborating the same, a BBC report stated, “Trump was quickly bundled off stage and into a waiting vehicle after shots were fired just a few minutes into his speech at 18:11 local time on Saturday. Blood could be seen near the former president’s ear as he raised his fist to the crowd. In a post to his Truth Social network, Trump said a bullet pierced the “upper part” of his right ear.”
“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,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post following the incident.
A CNBC report carrying the video of the incident, “Former President Donald Trump was injured during a shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. Trump could be seen contracting his body to the right, clutching his ear and dropping to the ground. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” Trump’s campaign spokesman said in a statement.”
The video also showed Trump touching his ear before dropping on the ground.
Conclusion
Hence, the viral claim that Donald Trump was shot at his chest in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania is false.
Result: False
Sources
X Post By ABC News, Dated July 14, 2024
Instagram Post By Evan Vucci, Dated July 14, 2024
Truth Social Post By Donald Trump, Dated July 14, 2024
YouTube Video By CNBC Television, Dated July 14, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
