Conspiracy Theorists Are At It Again: ‘The Burden Is On Trump To Prove He Was Shot’

In the initial aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, critics were quick to downplay the assassination attempt — and while they quieted some in the days since, they’ve begun to circulate again as the two-week mark approaches.

In the first few days, despite the fact that hero firefighter Corey Comperatore died from a catastrophic gunshot wound and two others were hospitalized — also with gunshot wounds — critics began positing alternate theories on Trump’s injury, suggesting that he might have been hit with shrapnel, glass from a teleprompter, or even that he had simply gotten a scrape when Secret Service Agents took him down.

Twelve days later, and a week after Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) — who served as the appointed Physician to the President under both former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump — released a full statement describing Trump’s gunshot injury and recovery process, the conspiracy theories began to circulate again.

NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles pointed to testimony given by FBI director Christopher Wray in a Wednesday hearing, posting, “This got lost yesterday … but FBI Director Wray told Congress: ‘I think with respect to former President Trump there’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that you know hit his ear.’ Trump has not released medical records from after the shooting.”

This got lost yesterday.. but FBI Director Wray told Congress:

“I think with respect to former President Trump there’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that you know hit his ear.”

Trump has not released medical records from after the shooting. https://t.co/BcsEFwRNHR

— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) July 25, 2024

CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem added, “I’ve waited a while to say this but the burden is now on Trump to show he was shot. I can condemn the assassination and still demand truth, especially since Trump is now politicizing taking a bullet. Wray has now opened the door; this is not a conspiracy theory. Wray, known for exact phrasing and being careful, didn’t say this on accident. He is begging us to ask.”

I’ve waited a while to say this but the burden is now on Trump to show he was shot. I can condemn the assassination and still demand truth, especially since Trump is now politicizing taking a bullet. Wray has now opened the door; this is not a conspiracy theory. Wray, known for… https://t.co/1QCTeSWux7

— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) July 25, 2024

“That’s not how that works. You’ve made the claim. It’s your responsibility to prove said claim,” one responded.

That’s not how that works.

You’ve made the claim.

It’s your responsibility to prove said claim. https://t.co/3W8Dh9Arzv

— Walmart Battle Orc (@ASo1omons) July 25, 2024

Newsbusters’ Alex Christy responded to Kayyem, saying, “On CNN, you’re no longer allowed to call Harris the border czar, but you are allowed to tweet this.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

On CNN, you’re no longer allowed to call Harris the border czar, but you are allowed to tweet this https://t.co/xIohQzcSSG

— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) July 25, 2024

Jackson took to X to fire back, saying, “ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE for Chris Wray to make such a statement as Director of the FBI. Another POLITICALLY MOTIVATED move by the man that has repeatedly weaponized his office to tear down President Trump. What little credibility he may have left is GONE after recklessly suggesting Trump might not have been hit from a bullet. IT WAS A BULLET — I’VE SEEN THE WOUND! PATHETIC!!!”

ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE for Chris Wray to make such a statement as Director of the FBI.

Another POLITICALLY MOTIVATED move by the man that has repeatedly weaponized his office to tear down President Trump.

What little credibility he may have left is GONE after recklessly… https://t.co/hMftzOpZqV

— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) July 25, 2024

Video simulations also showed exactly what would have happened when the bullet struck the former president’s right ear.

Professional ballistic testing from @TheAKGuy disproved the conspiracy theory that Trump wasn’t shot. Yet, this CNN hack is pushing it anyway.pic.twitter.com/1fRBmveA00 https://t.co/IBmSdQpWgA

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) July 25, 2024