Netizens Claim Trump 'Staged' Shooting At Philadelphia Rally Being Investigated As Possible Assassination Attempt
Donald Trump's rally in Philadelphia sparked various speculations after a shooting incident happened while he was on stage, leaving him injured.
Trump appeared to have been shot onstage as he was speaking to his supporters at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The presidential hopeful was comparing his record on shutting down illegal immigration to President Joe Biden's open border policies when loud bangs were heard nearby. The ex-POTUS quickly grasped his right ear and ducked down, the Daily Mail reported.
The U.S. Secret Service agents swarmed the stage to cover him, and when Trump stood up, blood could be seen on his face. There are divided reports on what hit Trump amid the commotion. Some said a piece of glass from the teleprompter hit his ear amid the shooting, while others indicated it was a bullet. However, many netizens questioned the incident and accused the businessman-turned-politician of staging it.
"Now I am pretty sure that this crap was staged by Trump himself," one wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a video of Trump.
Another added, "This has to be the fakest thing I've seen on the internet in years," with multiple rolling-on-the-floor laughing emojis.
"Trump staged a shooting to get more votes in the election, if Hitler had this PR we'd all be nazis man," a third person claimed.
"If you think this 'shooting' at the Trump rally was an assassination attempt, you are in a cult. This is the most staged thing I've seen in a long time. He knows he's going to lose the election, so he fakes this shit and shouts to the crowd to 'fight,' and you know what's next," a fourth person opined.
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"The Secret Service would not let him stand like this, fist pumping with his head exposed, if he were actually shot. This is staged," the same user added, noting that even if Trump's ear was hit, it was "perfectly intact."
"That's exactly what I said. Didn't sound real. Didn't look real, and he sure as hell didn't act as if it was real," a different user opined.
Although many accused Trump of faking the incident, several also rallied to defend the ex-POTUS. Many expressed their continued support and well-wishes for Trump.
"The shooter is dead and an attendee was also killed. Still sound staged?" one commented.
Another added, "Dude, if he were to stage something he wouldn't stage it bad to where everyone acts like its staged. Jesus."
"I can't believe what America is becoming. So sad! Prayers for Trump!" a different user opined.
Another commenter said, "Trump will be back stronger than ever."
"You really hate to see s**t like this, I don't care what candidate you support. Glad to see he appears to be okay," a different social media user wrote.
The shooting incident is already being investigated as a possible assassination attempt, per ABC News. Meanwhile, the alleged shooter was already killed by a Secret Service assault team, the New York Post confirmed in a report.
A senior law enforcement source who spoke with the outlet also said that Trump was "inches" away from "having his face shot open." Trump also released a statement about the incident on Truth Social, confirming that he was shot in his right ear and the shooter was dead.
"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead," he wrote. "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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
