A shocking photo taken by New York Times photographer Doug Mills captures the dramatic moment of an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. The image documents a bullet narrowly missing the head of the Republican presidential candidate.
The incident occurred on Saturday during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mills’ photo shows a gray streak just above Trump’s left shoulder, representing the bullet’s trajectory. Subsequent images show Trump checking his right ear and blood on his hand after removing it from his ear.
Crazy photo captured by Doug Mills of The New York Times depicts a bullet flying towards the head of Donald Trump.
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) July 14, 2024
On a social media post to truth social, Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear”.
He went on to say he “knew immediately… pic.twitter.com/WFAe8NrmO7
Trump later confirmed in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that a bullet “grazed the top of my right ear.” He described hearing a “whizzing sound” and feeling the bullet “tear through the skin.”
Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI special agent, analyzed the high-resolution image and told the New York Times, “It could absolutely show the air displacement from a projectile.” He added that the angle seemed a bit low to have gone through Trump’s ear but did not rule out that the shooter might have fired multiple shots.
The incident had tragic consequences: one spectator was killed and at least two others were seriously injured. The alleged shooter was shot dead by security forces.
Authorities, including the FBI and Secret Service, have launched immediate investigations. In a press conference late Saturday evening, investigators described the incident as an “assassination attempt” on the former president. The exact circumstances and the shooter’s motive are still under investigation.
The incident has further heightened the already tense political atmosphere in the U.S. Political observers like Ian Bremmer warn of potential impacts on the upcoming elections and an increase in political violence. Republicans have quickly rallied to show their support for Trump, while Democrats warn of the dangers of increasing polarization.
The dramatic photo and assassination attempt will undoubtedly shape the U.S. political landscape in the coming weeks and months, raising serious questions about the safety of politicians and the future of American democracy.