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So do you think Trump hired a hit person to (Original Post) leftyladyfrommo Apr 19 OP
YES! dlilafae Apr 19 #1
He wasn't shot. He didn't win. He's on the list. 31st Street Bridge Apr 19 #53
Correct on all three. yellow dahlia Apr 19 #127
Word of the day: KAYFABE OhioBack2Blue Apr 19 #164
One rally attendee died and another was injured fujiyamasan Thursday #189
Yes Botany Apr 19 #2
How did Trump manage to fool the Secret Service? pcdb Apr 19 #124
The 1st Secret Service team was removed from Biden's detail because they weren't trusted. tintinvotes Tuesday #176
I think Rebl2 Thursday #186
And as an old fart, healing takes longer. IzzaNuDay Apr 19 #132
SAG he is Whip-poor-will Apr 19 #3
Pretty sure they Rebl2 Apr 19 #77
I do not believe the assassination attempt was staged, Joe Cool Apr 19 #4
"Either the bullet whizzed close enough by his that it caused some bleeding" Polybius Apr 19 #14
'penetration, howsomever slight...." ucmj rampartd Apr 19 #39
So he was raped by a bullet? BattleRow Apr 19 #44
no bullet got anywhere near that podium rampartd Apr 19 #66
Lloyd Bucher, remember him? NoRethugFriends Apr 19 #85
His doctor said it left a one-inch hole in his ear. ZZenith Apr 19 #136
That's ridiculous misanthrope Apr 19 #141
From what I have read, mzmolly Apr 19 #65
Bingo! Doodley Apr 19 #76
SS couldn't control him! LeftInTX Apr 19 #78
I very much doubt that he's got that much physical strength. Crunchy Frog Apr 19 #151
Standing on stage for several seconds, allowed to pump his fist in the air, yelling "Fight! Fight! Fight" True Dough Apr 19 #89
This Bayard Apr 19 #92
Yes - that was obviously rehearsed GenThePerservering Apr 19 #110
The shoes were his biggest concern Brother Buzz Apr 19 #112
The teleprompter screens weren't struck misanthrope Apr 19 #142
No. n/t demmiblue Apr 19 #5
No he is too much of a coward. Irish_Dem Apr 19 #6
The person wasn't particularly close to him. But yes. I think it was staged. Here's why: Scrivener7 Apr 19 #7
But the entire Secret Service staff on the site (dozens) would have been in on it that way Polybius Apr 19 #13
The police likely reported the kid to the Secret Service. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #16
I get what you're saying, but I still think too many would have have to have been in on it Polybius Apr 19 #18
Whether they were in on it or not, they allowed him to hang out there for 20 minutes Scrivener7 Apr 19 #23
All they needed to do was follow orders. That's all. nt GenThePerservering Apr 19 #111
Why not run to the media, or the Biden Administration? Polybius Apr 19 #149
And risk their jobs? MorbidButterflyTat Apr 19 #159
If they would be the one to get the story out, they would all be heroes Polybius Monday #169
They don't follow that rule for major conspiracies. They own the media. travelingthrulife Apr 19 #64
Like the Penn State abuse scandal? Cirsium Apr 19 #72
A mother reported her son's abuse gab13by13 Apr 19 #100
Paterno Cirsium Apr 19 #126
You've got the outline for a good novel there! marble falls Apr 19 #30
Yeah, but those things did happen. And PS, it was already a movie - The Paralax View. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #33
They do seem to get a lot of their material from movies. AllyCat Apr 19 #74
Excellent analysis, Scrivener7 Grim Chieftain Apr 19 #55
Thank YOU! As I was writing that, one thing REALLY jumped out at me. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #104
Exactly, and consider the other "assassination attempt" Grim Chieftain Apr 19 #105
Dah winnah! raccoon Apr 19 #97
And as Trump was being ushered off the stage by SS, he made them stop and get his shoes. Sogo Apr 19 #107
No. I think Donald John was lucky Vogon_Glory Apr 19 #8
I agree with the first part of what you wrote Polybius Apr 19 #10
I think you're right. Vogon_Glory Apr 19 #22
I think in that parallel universe, DeSantis gets the nomination Polybius Apr 19 #147
That must be an alternate universe where he has lots of charisma, Vogon_Glory Apr 19 #165
Well, a non-charismatic person can win the presidency Polybius Monday #170
No, because that would be impossible to pull off Polybius Apr 19 #9
The kid - the shooter - was shot and killed. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #12
Yes, so why would he take the offer knowing he'd be killed? Polybius Apr 19 #15
Maybe they lied to him. Liberal In Texas Apr 19 #17
That's what they do in the movies too Polybius Apr 19 #21
Not that hard to find among the base of young underachieving magat men. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #26
I don't it was staged but the shooter was the type of loser JI7 Apr 19 #160
He was an underachieving magat. They could have told him they were Scrivener7 Apr 19 #20
Is there any evidence that the person was in communication with members of Trumps team? Kaleva Apr 19 #48
I don't know of any, do you? I doubt they would broadcast it. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #50
Usualky criminals don't broadcast but the evidence convicts them Kaleva Apr 19 #69
Ok. And? Magats apparently love Signal. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #86
The shooter is the weak link, always. They have to be silenced, like LH Oswald. marble falls Apr 19 #32
It's Possible Kid Berwyn Apr 19 #11
How did his ear heal with no scar? Emile Apr 19 #19
Maybe there was no contact, for one reason or another. bucolic_frolic Apr 19 #31
I think Trump hired a hit person to take out Epstein too. Emile Apr 19 #24
That previously unreleased video of someone in an orange jumpsuit approaching Epstein's Scrivener7 Apr 19 #27
All we have now is this Emile Apr 19 #80
Of course he did. yellow dahlia Apr 19 #134
The behavior of the SS allowing him to stand with his fist in the air Ritabert Apr 19 #25
I saw somewhere that those flags attached to crane booms started to lower Liberal In Texas Apr 19 #28
I wouldn't be surprised. Ritabert Apr 19 #29
That's not a rumor angrychair Apr 19 #75
The videos I viewed show hydraulic fluid spewing from the equipment south of the stage. John1956PA Apr 19 #161
There's a non-zero chance Prairie Gates Apr 19 #34
Kooky CT nonsense Fiendish Thingy Apr 19 #35
Agreed. It is getting really tiresome. n/t Ms. Toad Apr 19 #63
I consider it likely the powers that wanted Trump to win so they could steal us blind would do such a thing. Attilatheblond Apr 19 #82
Do you consider the logistics required to successfully fake an assassination attempt? Fiendish Thingy Apr 19 #98
I referenced the powers that wanted Trump to win, you know the billionaires making/stealing $$ with him in power Attilatheblond Apr 19 #114
It's still Kooky CT Nonsense Fiendish Thingy Apr 19 #119
You do you, as is your right Attilatheblond Apr 19 #120
I do agree with MTG about this. I also agree with Massie about the Epstein files, and Liz Cheney Scrivener7 Monday #172
Putin told Viktor Orban gab13by13 Apr 19 #36
Ko-INKY- dink? I think not. yellow dahlia Apr 19 #135
To me it appears the SS let it happen either on purpose or just plain doc03 Apr 19 #37
His SS detail was decreased from when he was president and he didn't have a full presidential candidate detail yet. LeftInTX Apr 19 #81
Like moths to a flame JoseBalow Apr 19 #38
Yep Blue Full Moon Apr 19 #40
Yes DemMedic Apr 19 #41
the dead guy could have been a tragic accident rampartd Apr 19 #42
Three people were shot that day Retrograde Apr 19 #108
That answer follows Occam's Razor most closely misanthrope Apr 19 #144
Yes their names were released EdmondDantes_ Apr 19 #167
No orangecrush Apr 19 #43
Trumpsters say God deflected the bullet to save Trump's life. Norrrm Apr 19 #45
Yep Grim Chieftain Apr 19 #99
Of course he did Clouds Passing Apr 19 #46
Recruited a moron and then killed them Johonny Apr 19 #47
My husband used to think I'm crazy, but 100% that's what I believe. lark Apr 19 #49
ABSOLUTELY! Mr.Bee Apr 19 #51
No obnoxiousdrunk Apr 19 #52
I think it could have been staged mb40 Apr 19 #54
The first time they showed the shot T smacked his ear with force. Then he went down to the ground. Hope22 Apr 19 #56
Too complicated and too much risk. People talk. Leaks happen. paleotn Apr 19 #57
ding. this. AllaN01Bear Apr 19 #58
I think they hired a kid, who locals said was a known bad shot, to shoot above the crowd. travelingthrulife Apr 19 #59
Putin destroyed an apt building in a false flag action. 58Sunliner Apr 19 #60
It was three apt buildings, and his men were caught trying for a fourth. Crunchy Frog Apr 19 #156
Thanks for the correction. A real psychopath. 58Sunliner Apr 19 #166
No, he got lucky. BradBo Apr 19 #61
If he had actually been shot, he would never have jumped up and pumped his fist ashredux Apr 19 #62
This! hamsterjill Apr 19 #70
That's what bothers me, too. nt leftyladyfrommo Apr 19 #94
But another man died. Why? No blowback on that and never mentioned again. Srkdqltr Apr 19 #67
Yes angrychair Apr 19 #68
No blood gibraltar72 Apr 19 #71
Nothing would surprise me. He'd sacrifice one life for a good photo op as long as it wasn't his. Vinca Apr 19 #73
It'd make for a great thriller plot but... Tranquil72 Apr 19 #79
Wouldn't put it past him. Joinfortmill Apr 19 #83
The way the Secret Service left him exposed is a big clue it was faked dflprincess Apr 19 #84
Yeh, and the Secret Service was in on it. NoRethugFriends Apr 19 #87
For any person who thinks "how can anyone fall for Trump, you can only vote for him if you're a lousy person", biocube Apr 19 #88
Yes. OLDMDDEM Apr 19 #90
Golly. I wonder where Trump could have learned his flair for scripted dramatic events? True Dough Apr 19 #91
+1 dalton99a Apr 19 #162
Also, unless this video has been debunked, it's damning... True Dough Apr 19 #93
No; he wouldn't have the guts to be that close to danger (nt) muriel_volestrangler Apr 19 #95
No Kaleva Apr 19 #96
Don't you have to investigate to get evidence? gab13by13 Apr 19 #102
The Biden Administration investigated it Kaleva Apr 19 #106
Yes. This is krasnov we're talking about, so yes. AnotherMother4Peace Apr 19 #101
Sadly, this is applicable these days: True Dough Apr 19 #103
Trunp couldn't hire a gardener Fichefinder Apr 19 #109
I'm still trying to decide whether Melania hired the hitman, or whether JD did, or whether it was Stephen MIller, struggle4progress Apr 19 #113
We are still talking about it, that is all that matters to him Nictuku Apr 19 #115
Absolutely Blue Full Moon Apr 19 #116
OPTICS! Blue Owl Apr 19 #117
Can't rule it out. moondust Apr 19 #118
Given the nature of The Beast, B.See Apr 19 #121
I think that is as plausible sarisataka Apr 19 #122
Relevant! True Dough Apr 19 #123
Look, I don't know what that asshole did, but hamsterjill Apr 19 #125
De-rec. I'm dispirited that this CT miasma still floats around here like a toxic cloud. It's a bad look for our board. Celerity Apr 19 #128
I think that's a fair concern. Abolishinist Apr 19 #145
Agreed. The video stills show T's right palm (w/o blood) move to his right ear. John1956PA Apr 19 #150
Any payment? Chiefsfan Apr 19 #129
See post below. $4 million raised with a GoFundMe. IcyPeas Apr 19 #138
Don't forget the merch! MorbidButterflyTat Apr 19 #157
That's a rhetorical question, right? yellow dahlia Apr 19 #130
... True Dough Apr 19 #131
Do you see a bullet wound in that ear? True Dough Apr 19 #133
Wow. None whatsoever. Where's this photo from? I never saw it before. Scrivener7 Apr 19 #158
Fact Check: FAKE Photo Shows Trump With No Damage To His Ear Immediately After Butler Assassination Attempt -- It's AI Celerity Tuesday #174
that is a fake, AI-generated image, see post 174 Celerity Tuesday #175
Appreciate knowing that, Celerity. True Dough Tuesday #179
I posted pics of the wound from mainstream news reports as soon as the day it happened. I posted a pic in this OP thread Celerity Tuesday #180
Yes, but I'm looking for something since then True Dough Tuesday #181
GoFundMe raised $4 million for victims.... IcyPeas Apr 19 #137
And there is this... Liberal In Texas Apr 19 #139
Considering that four LEOs near Trump were wounded by debris misanthrope Apr 19 #140
This message was self-deleted by its author Scrivener7 Tuesday #178
My opinion is that, as extremely improbable as it seems, the grazing in fact occurred. John1956PA Thursday #182
In the photo you mention misanthrope Thursday #187
To my understanding, experts agree that the streak shown in the photo was made by an object traveling at bullet speed. John1956PA Thursday #188
That certainly sounds like a possibility one round struck the lift misanthrope Thursday #190
I only know one thing about this subject bluestarone Apr 19 #143
Biden Administration investigated this. Kaleva Apr 19 #152
If I may float the idea that Trump is a "Manchurian candidate" and so is the shooter, in addition Doodley Apr 19 #146
I've been calling him the Siberian Candidate for about 10 years now. Liberal In Texas Apr 19 #163
He probably had some of his "people" Crunchy Frog Apr 19 #148
No. The Trump orbit is made of idiots EdmondDantes_ Apr 19 #153
Many here think he's a mastermind Kaleva Monday #173
I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens. flvegan Apr 19 #154
Essentially, yes. I do not think he was really shot, and I do think he knew he wasn't shot/supposed to be shot. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 19 #155
Two media videos CNYHarris Monday #168
Not done here yet! True Dough Monday #171
Not for Nothing, but Has Anyone Actually SEEN Evidence of Anyone Being Shot/Killed at That Butler Rally? The_Counsel Tuesday #177
One video show a man standing, looking north, and taking a bullet to his abdomen. John1956PA Thursday #183
I found the video I watched in 2024. John1956PA Thursday #184
That idea was proposed for Orban/Hungary so why not the US? ecstatic Thursday #185
I do not jmowreader Thursday #191

31st Street Bridge

(234 posts)
53. He wasn't shot. He didn't win. He's on the list.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:24 AM
Apr 19

That's still the best sign/T-shirt I've seen.
It was all theatre. A bloody, fatal theatre.
I was amazed at how fast that photo of Secret Service agents lifting up the child rapist in Butler appeared on billboards here, north of Pittsburgh. They lifted the felon up like he was the flag at Iwo Jima.
Again, all theatre.

OhioBack2Blue

(161 posts)
164. Word of the day: KAYFABE
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:57 PM
Apr 19

...the problem is people are really eing harmed, are suffering, unemployed, incomeless and not being hired, drowning in debt, being kicked off medicaid, being fired and unlicensed when living/ working as a person who is trans, having their constitutional rights being trampled, and being murdered.

fujiyamasan

(1,927 posts)
189. One rally attendee died and another was injured
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 02:08 PM
Thursday

That’s in addition to the gunman.

Could it have been staged? Perhaps, but we know Trump is also a big coward. He’s not brave enough to be in a situation where he’d be close to the line of fire. Even if it wasn’t staged, he’s still a clown and a con man so he likely improvised his actions.

Obviously Trump did not give a shit about the man killed there. He even made some crude jokes about the widow preferring her slain husband being alive to a million dollars. He is a deranged sick fuck, so he would feel nothing if a few of his followers died, but he wouldn’t put his own life in harm’s way.

pcdb

(128 posts)
124. How did Trump manage to fool the Secret Service?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 04:00 PM
Apr 19

Or was the Biden admin in on the conspiracy?

tintinvotes

(147 posts)
176. The 1st Secret Service team was removed from Biden's detail because they weren't trusted.
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 11:23 AM
Tuesday

Trump's team was hand picked 🙄

IzzaNuDay

(1,311 posts)
132. And as an old fart, healing takes longer.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 05:42 PM
Apr 19

Who in the F does he think he’s fooling? I’m hoping for a stroke or AAA to take him out. No time to fake those!!!

Joe Cool

(1,097 posts)
4. I do not believe the assassination attempt was staged,
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:29 AM
Apr 19

but Trump was not shot. That is a definite. Either the bullet whizzed close enough by his that it caused some bleeding or he hit his head on the podium or floor and that is what caused the bleeding. There is no way he got shot if there is no scar. Plus, why hasn't he released the medical records from Butler Hospital?

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
14. "Either the bullet whizzed close enough by his that it caused some bleeding"
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:04 AM
Apr 19

Even if it ever-so-slightly nicked him, that technically counts as being shot.

rampartd

(4,775 posts)
66. no bullet got anywhere near that podium
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:50 AM
Apr 19

"these are my people. they are not here to shoot me." trump (jan 6)

mzmolly

(52,818 posts)
65. From what I have read,
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:49 AM
Apr 19

it was speculated that some of the glass from the Teleprompter hit his ear. I agree he was not shot. But it sure is strange how he posed for a photo op shortly after the injury, when people were still presumably in danger of being murdered.

True Dough

(27,072 posts)
89. Standing on stage for several seconds, allowed to pump his fist in the air, yelling "Fight! Fight! Fight"
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:57 AM
Apr 19

Secret Service agents would have been fired for permitting that in a real life-and-death situation.

GenThePerservering

(3,563 posts)
110. Yes - that was obviously rehearsed
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 01:36 PM
Apr 19

that one agent even scooted down so she wouldn't obscure a good look at Trump being all heroic.

He doesn't have the presence of mind to do any of that on his own. And wasn't he looking for his shoes, first?

Brother Buzz

(40,165 posts)
112. The shoes were his biggest concern
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 02:01 PM
Apr 19

Fear that his elevator shoes would remain on stage for the whole world to view was palpable.

misanthrope

(9,556 posts)
142. The teleprompter screens weren't struck
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:29 PM
Apr 19

But debris from something else was created because four LEOs near Trump were struck by it.

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
7. The person wasn't particularly close to him. But yes. I think it was staged. Here's why:
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:44 AM
Apr 19

Last edited Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:15 AM - Edit history (1)

I think we have seen enough from these people that we can say a couple of dead rally attendees wouldn't make them lose any sleep. They've taken their senseless murder of hundreds of schoolgirls in their stride, so one or two magats are no big deal.

But here are the things that lead me to believe it was staged:

* A 20 year old maga kid who worked in the kitchen of an old age home was able to outwit the United States Secret Service and breach the security perimeter - by a lot - while carrying a gun bag. He was able to climb up on top of a white building while being dressed all in black, without being stopped.

*Said 20 year old, again dressed all in black, lay on top of the white building, with a gun, long enough for numerous rally attendees to point him out to police. No one did anything about him.

* The secret service knew he was on top of the building for 20 minutes before the shots, but did nothing about him. https://abcnews.com/US/trump-assassination-attempt-investigation-continues-new-details/story?id=112020474

*After the shot, the secret service violated ALL of it's own protocols to allow the target to stand exposed so a photo could be taken. This was before they could possibly have known that the threat was over.

*After the shot, there is video that is widely available of a secret service agent ushering photographers to a spot where the optimal photo could be taken, again before they could possibly have known the threat was over. And at this point, there was no reason for anyone to know the secret service would be violating all their own protocols to make the photo possible.

*The wound, which required a maxi pad in the first few days, was miraculously healed a week later, leaving no scab and no scar, despite the fact that the recipient is an old man with obvious health problems.

*We recently learned about a Russian plot to stage an identical event to help Orban get elected.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
13. But the entire Secret Service staff on the site (dozens) would have been in on it that way
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:03 AM
Apr 19

The rule of 3 for major conspiracies would be shattered. And what about the police? Were they in on it too?

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
16. The police likely reported the kid to the Secret Service.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:12 AM
Apr 19

Who did nothing.

And it seems like the Secret Service is riddled with magats. Don't forget that Joe had to get rid of a bunch of the Secret Service guys who were on his detail. He chose a whole new crew because he didn't trust the original ones. Joe is not a guy prone to doing a lot of purging of staffs, so I think his choice to install agents he knew he could trust shows that he did not trust many of the others.

And no, it wouldn't have required that all the present agents were on it. The leader of the crew who allowed him to stand up could have given an order to stop and then Cankles posed for the picture. Then the one who shot the shooter, and maybe the one who positioned the photographers. That would have been sufficient.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
18. I get what you're saying, but I still think too many would have have to have been in on it
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:15 AM
Apr 19

Not just the team leader, but the ones in the front too. Since some would have seen the kid, they would have had to be in on it too.

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
23. Whether they were in on it or not, they allowed him to hang out there for 20 minutes
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:21 AM
Apr 19

while doing nothing to stop him. Some DID know the kid was there. For TWENTY minutes. Somehow, they did nothing about it.

Whether they were in on it, or were ordered to do nothing about the reports or about the guy they could plainly see on top of the building, I don't know. But that's what happened.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
149. Why not run to the media, or the Biden Administration?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:58 PM
Apr 19

Say "I was told to ignore the kid on the roof."

MorbidButterflyTat

(4,658 posts)
159. And risk their jobs?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:56 PM
Apr 19

And their pensions?

Or any number of things these criminals would do to their lives and their families' lives?

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
169. If they would be the one to get the story out, they would all be heroes
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:10 AM
Monday

To big to fire. Biden would not fire them anyway, and Trump would have gotten arrested. Then they could have written books and got rich.

travelingthrulife

(5,427 posts)
64. They don't follow that rule for major conspiracies. They own the media.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:45 AM
Apr 19

They own the message. I have no problem believing his secret service and local PD are completely corrupted. Look at the entire Republican Congress and GOP controlled courts. They are all corrupt.

Cirsium

(4,001 posts)
72. Like the Penn State abuse scandal?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:04 AM
Apr 19

Years and years of abuse of children, hundreds of witnesses, the police, the head football coach, staff, the athletic director, the president of the university, coaches and administrators from other universities, many members of the press at the very least looked the other way for years and years.

If that conspiracy could occur to protect a stupid football program, do you really doubt that something much easier to accomplish could have been done to help Trump?

gab13by13

(32,547 posts)
100. A mother reported her son's abuse
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 12:44 PM
Apr 19

By Sandusky To the state police early on.

Republican governor Corbett gave a rookie trooper a desk and told him to investigate.

The PS trustees were also to blame, but Paterno was railroaded, he died and couldn’t defend himself, he was the perfect scapegoat.

Cirsium

(4,001 posts)
126. Paterno
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 04:31 PM
Apr 19

I won't give Paterno a pass. With the glory, the fame and the perks comes responsibility.

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
33. Yeah, but those things did happen. And PS, it was already a movie - The Paralax View.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:37 AM
Apr 19

A little different, but a lot of the same elements.

These guys have no imagination. They probably got the idea from the movie.

AllyCat

(18,937 posts)
74. They do seem to get a lot of their material from movies.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:08 AM
Apr 19

Pulp Fiction, Call of Duty (VG), Independence Day, Silence of the Lambs, Patton…why not Parallax View?

Grim Chieftain

(1,910 posts)
55. Excellent analysis, Scrivener7
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:27 AM
Apr 19

There are so many unanswered questions and things that simply don't add up. We probably won't have all the answers in our lifetime but raising questions is important.

Thank you

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
104. Thank YOU! As I was writing that, one thing REALLY jumped out at me.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 01:01 PM
Apr 19

The Secret Service acted in a way they had never acted before during an assassination attempt. In every other assassination attempt, the Secret Service surrounds and covers the target and hustles him away from danger.

But the guy who ushered the photographers to the bottom of the stairs knew the Secret Service was going to violate all its protocols and allow the photo op.

How could he possibly know that?

Grim Chieftain

(1,910 posts)
105. Exactly, and consider the other "assassination attempt"
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 01:13 PM
Apr 19

at the West Palm Beach golf course. The feds were on that ASAP. There is so, so much that doesn't add up, but with Trump, lies and deception are standard operating procedure.

Question everything and doubt nothing.

Sogo

(7,260 posts)
107. And as Trump was being ushered off the stage by SS, he made them stop and get his shoes.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 01:19 PM
Apr 19

"Wait, my shoes!"

Some believe he didn't want anyone to see the lifts he uses in his shoes....

Vogon_Glory

(10,334 posts)
8. No. I think Donald John was lucky
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:45 AM
Apr 19

If his would-be assassin had been using a hunting rife with a scope, JD Vance would have found himself at the top of the Republican Party ticket in the 2024 Presidential election.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
10. I agree with the first part of what you wrote
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:00 AM
Apr 19

But Vance wasn't nominated until a few days after the attempted assassination in July 2024. I think the Republicans would have taken it to the convention, where there'd be a serious fight with many contenders for the nomination.

That's what I was hoping we would have done.

Vogon_Glory

(10,334 posts)
22. I think you're right.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:19 AM
Apr 19

And on some parallel Earth, where what’s-his-name or what’s-his-name’s counterpart was mortally wounded, that must have been a very interesting Republican Party convention and general election. However, we live in the universe where God-Emperor Donald survived and we have one of the dystopian outcomes.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
147. I think in that parallel universe, DeSantis gets the nomination
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:52 PM
Apr 19

And he wins even bigger than Trump did, because every MAGA voter is extremely motivated to vote.

Vogon_Glory

(10,334 posts)
165. That must be an alternate universe where he has lots of charisma,
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:05 PM
Apr 19

A trait our universe’s DeSantis lacks. Are you quite sure about the size of his victory? I would have thought that if he won it would have been by a far narrower margin.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
170. Well, a non-charismatic person can win the presidency
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:18 AM
Monday

Look at W in 2000 and 2004. Although to be fair, his two opponents had no charisma either.

As for the size of his victory, I think MAGA would be super motivated, and Ron is (slightly) more capable than Trump, so the Right-leaning Indies who didn't vote may have voted for him.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
9. No, because that would be impossible to pull off
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:56 AM
Apr 19

Plus that "hit person" as you call it would be shot himself, as the Secret Service would immediately fire back.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
15. Yes, so why would he take the offer knowing he'd be killed?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:06 AM
Apr 19

Anyone who ever watched a movie knows that politicians who pay for a hit wind up killing the assassin. Dead men tell no tales.

Liberal In Texas

(16,343 posts)
17. Maybe they lied to him.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:13 AM
Apr 19

I know this is a fantastical idea that these guys would lie, but maybe the kid was promised that he would get disappeared and shipped off somewhere tropical with a bag full of cash.

Polybius

(22,021 posts)
21. That's what they do in the movies too
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:18 AM
Apr 19

They promise the assassin a ton of things, then they kill him. Unless the kid was just an idiot would believed anything.

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
26. Not that hard to find among the base of young underachieving magat men.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:24 AM
Apr 19

They believe Orange Jesus is their savior.

JI7

(93,796 posts)
160. I don't it was staged but the shooter was the type of loser
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:04 PM
Apr 19

they would get if they were going to stage it.

He was a young MAGA incel loser type from a gun nut family .

He didn't have any friends or other social connections that would want to know more and look into it. The parents were MAGA and worship Trump.

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
20. He was an underachieving magat. They could have told him they were
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:18 AM
Apr 19

staging the event and that it would help his idol and he would be protected and allowed to escape. His success in getting inside the perimeter and lying on the roof for so long must have added to his confidence that was true.

I think it's likely he believed there was no plan to kill him.

Kaleva

(40,397 posts)
48. Is there any evidence that the person was in communication with members of Trumps team?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:14 AM
Apr 19

Kaleva

(40,397 posts)
69. Usualky criminals don't broadcast but the evidence convicts them
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:55 AM
Apr 19

The Biden Administration had several months to investigate this and to tge best of our knowledge, no evidence of communication was found.

bucolic_frolic

(55,518 posts)
31. Maybe there was no contact, for one reason or another.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:34 AM
Apr 19

Either it was faked, or it was something analogous to "wind of the ball" injuries, a phenomenon known since the revolutionary war.

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/39282-wind-of-the-ball-injuries/

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
27. That previously unreleased video of someone in an orange jumpsuit approaching Epstein's
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:25 AM
Apr 19

cell certainly disappeared from the news pretty quickly.

Seems like that video might have caused a war.

Ritabert

(2,516 posts)
25. The behavior of the SS allowing him to stand with his fist in the air
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:22 AM
Apr 19

....while photographers were ushered to the best spot for a photo with the flag flying in the background tells you all you need to know. The photo appeared on merch within days. Contrast that with the attempt on Ronald Reagan where agents immediately shielded him with their bodies and whisked him into a limo.

Liberal In Texas

(16,343 posts)
28. I saw somewhere that those flags attached to crane booms started to lower
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:28 AM
Apr 19

just as the commotion started to get into a position just behind the action for the photo background.

angrychair

(12,398 posts)
75. That's not a rumor
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:08 AM
Apr 19

There is video out there of it. Granted, it could be Al I guess but I've seen the video circulating.

John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
161. The videos I viewed show hydraulic fluid spewing from the equipment south of the stage.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:05 PM
Apr 19

As the fluid spews, the boom supporting the flag on that side of he stage falls a bit. The spray of fluid coincides with the shooter's first volley. I believe the round which nicked Trump's ear traveled on to strike the hydraulic equipment.

I do not know it there are videos showing further lowering of the flags subsequent to that initial partial boom drop.

Prairie Gates

(8,344 posts)
34. There's a non-zero chance
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:37 AM
Apr 19

I doubt it, but the actual lack of damage to the ear is disturbing at the very least.

Remember that Lee Zeldin probably faked an attack in Buffalo when he was running for governor of New York.

If the same scenario played out but nobody was hit or killed, far more people would be skeptical.

Fiendish Thingy

(23,595 posts)
35. Kooky CT nonsense
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:47 AM
Apr 19

Do you think Trump is emotionally stable enough to take to a rally stage knowing a murder was going to take place?

Others would have had to be in on this “plot” - the SS, his campaign staff, etc.

This “staged” CT is currently growing among disenchanted MAGA supporters, so folks should be aware of what kind of club they are joining by promoting this CT.

Attilatheblond

(9,095 posts)
82. I consider it likely the powers that wanted Trump to win so they could steal us blind would do such a thing.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:20 AM
Apr 19

Fiendish Thingy

(23,595 posts)
98. Do you consider the logistics required to successfully fake an assassination attempt?
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 12:39 PM
Apr 19

Because this administration is the most incompetent in history.

Attilatheblond

(9,095 posts)
114. I referenced the powers that wanted Trump to win, you know the billionaires making/stealing $$ with him in power
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 02:32 PM
Apr 19

Those people have people who can (and likely will) do anything, . He didn't have an administration at the time of the 'assassination attempt' as it was prior to the 2024 election.

Fiendish Thingy

(23,595 posts)
119. It's still Kooky CT Nonsense
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 03:08 PM
Apr 19

Absolutely, positively zero evidence it was faked.

Edit: those who believe the assassination attempt was faked are in the same camp as MTG.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221184701

Scrivener7

(59,885 posts)
172. I do agree with MTG about this. I also agree with Massie about the Epstein files, and Liz Cheney
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 09:35 AM
Monday

about January 6.

What's your point with that?

gab13by13

(32,547 posts)
36. Putin told Viktor Orban
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:48 AM
Apr 19

To stage an assassination to help him get elected.
Why wouldn’t Putin tell agent Krasnov the same thing?

doc03

(39,130 posts)
37. To me it appears the SS let it happen either on purpose or just plain
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:49 AM
Apr 19

incompetence and maybe he was hit by a piece of glass. Why did the SS let him stand for his photo making him a perfect
target for a second shot, very strange? Was there ever a medical report about him being treated in a hospital?

LeftInTX

(34,666 posts)
81. His SS detail was decreased from when he was president and he didn't have a full presidential candidate detail yet.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:19 AM
Apr 19

His SS detail was "former president". It was upped to candidate status after the shooting. However, he would automatically receive increased protection after the convention anyway.

I don't think SS could control him anyway. Remember what he did when he had Covid???

rampartd

(4,775 posts)
42. the dead guy could have been a tragic accident
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 09:52 AM
Apr 19

or possibly an "inconvenient" person

but the assassination was staged.

Retrograde

(11,439 posts)
108. Three people were shot that day
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 01:23 PM
Apr 19

besides the gunman. One died, two recovered (were their names ever released? Did the locals or state police file any sort of report on their attempted murders? How badly were they injured?)

That's why I think the shooter really intended to kill Donnie. And being the opportunist he is, Trump played up a slight cut from flying debris into a full "I've been saved by god to run the country!" But without any hard data we can't know for sure.

misanthrope

(9,556 posts)
144. That answer follows Occam's Razor most closely
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:35 PM
Apr 19

The pieces are all there and known publicly if folks would just be willing to see them.

Norrrm

(5,344 posts)
45. Trumpsters say God deflected the bullet to save Trump's life.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:05 AM
Apr 19

Meaning God killed the firefighter for Trump.

lark

(26,095 posts)
49. My husband used to think I'm crazy, but 100% that's what I believe.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:15 AM
Apr 19

Now that he's learned about SS herding all the reporters to where they could get a good shot less than a few min; before the shooting has even him asking if it wasn't faked.

mb40

(10 posts)
54. I think it could have been staged
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:26 AM
Apr 19

but if it was, I think the guy on the roof fired blanks or was posed there with an unloaded gun because there is no way they would allow some inexperienced gunman to be in that position with real bullets. The man that was shot would have had to have been murdered by someone else in Trump's secret service at the same time, basically choosing a target in the crowd and the investigation conducted by his people.

Hope22

(4,824 posts)
56. The first time they showed the shot T smacked his ear with force. Then he went down to the ground.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:27 AM
Apr 19

I thought that was the strangest thing but later replays did not show that. I always watched the replays and never saw that smacking again. Between that and the miracle ear heal it certainly left me wondering.

paleotn

(22,501 posts)
57. Too complicated and too much risk. People talk. Leaks happen.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:32 AM
Apr 19

He took advantage of a situation.

travelingthrulife

(5,427 posts)
59. I think they hired a kid, who locals said was a known bad shot, to shoot above the crowd.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:40 AM
Apr 19

He muffed the shot and killed someone. Then he was 'put down' according to plan
Trump asked at the hospital how it was playing on tv. There was no wound.

58Sunliner

(6,373 posts)
60. Putin destroyed an apt building in a false flag action.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:40 AM
Apr 19

I think he would have allowed anything if he thought it would improve his chances of getting elected. It also appealed to him as a chance to grift and play the hero. Classic narcissist traits. He is a psychopath.

Crunchy Frog

(28,294 posts)
156. It was three apt buildings, and his men were caught trying for a fourth.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:37 PM
Apr 19

It was mostly done to create a justification to resume the war against Chechnya.

There's nothing that these evil creatures in pursuit of absolute power won't do.

ashredux

(2,945 posts)
62. If he had actually been shot, he would never have jumped up and pumped his fist
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:44 AM
Apr 19

Nobody who’s just been shot would do that

hamsterjill

(17,689 posts)
70. This!
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:58 AM
Apr 19

Especially from someone who is as much a coward as this asshole obviously is. It was too much of a "John Wayne" moment for it to be real.

Srkdqltr

(9,861 posts)
67. But another man died. Why? No blowback on that and never mentioned again.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:52 AM
Apr 19

Hope his family profited.

angrychair

(12,398 posts)
68. Yes
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 10:53 AM
Apr 19

There can be no debate that his ear is perfectly normal, not a scar or mark on it.
If his ear is normal looking, then where did all the blood come from? That ridiculous bandage that was on his ear was not done by a medical professional but more likely than not, a makeup artist.

gibraltar72

(7,631 posts)
71. No blood
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:02 AM
Apr 19

on the white shirt. Pics I've seen seem to show all over face but white shirt shows none. That much "blood" would be all over collar.

Vinca

(54,186 posts)
73. Nothing would surprise me. He'd sacrifice one life for a good photo op as long as it wasn't his.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:06 AM
Apr 19

Tranquil72

(24 posts)
79. It'd make for a great thriller plot but...
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:15 AM
Apr 19

I don’t see how they could have managed it. Too many moving parts, and way too many potential whistleblowers in the aftermath. Somebody would have spilled the beans.

But there are many unanswered questions. I for one cannot explain that apparently undamaged ear. And Trump did seem almost prepared for the photo that followed. Out of such questions are conspiracy theories born.

dflprincess

(29,388 posts)
84. The way the Secret Service left him exposed is a big clue it was faked
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:24 AM
Apr 19

The man who was killed was just "collateral damage". Probably wasn't supposed to happen.

NoRethugFriends

(3,765 posts)
87. Yeh, and the Secret Service was in on it.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:28 AM
Apr 19

Are you folks all kidding, or do you really believe that.

biocube

(237 posts)
88. For any person who thinks "how can anyone fall for Trump, you can only vote for him if you're a lousy person",
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 11:36 AM
Apr 19

...here is exhibit A. Believing in preposterous nonsense like this makes 2020 election conspiracy theories seem intelligent by comparison.

Remember that the FBI Biden oversaw confirmed he was hit by the bullet. Do you think they found a young man skilled enough to make an ear shot and was willing to let the secret service or police kill him?

Come on...

True Dough

(27,072 posts)
93. Also, unless this video has been debunked, it's damning...
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 12:13 PM
Apr 19
https://www.reddit.com/r/isthisAI/comments/1r69r78/video_of_photographers_being_ushered_in_and_flag/


EDIT: I'm normally opposed to conspiracy theories, but when Trump is involved, I don't rule out ANY possibility!

struggle4progress

(126,518 posts)
113. I'm still trying to decide whether Melania hired the hitman, or whether JD did, or whether it was Stephen MIller,
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 02:16 PM
Apr 19

or one of his other supporters. I suspect that Miller and many of Trump's personal lawyers are corrupt enough; that JD and a bunch of Trump's political buddies are shamelessly opportunistic enough; and that any woman who's spent enough time with him is looking for a permanent escape. But there are so many possibilies, the mind boggles

moondust

(21,320 posts)
118. Can't rule it out.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 02:58 PM
Apr 19

Maybe he promised the guy a pardon when convicted but some of the Secret Service didn't get the message to only arrest any "troublemakers" and not to shoot them.

sarisataka

(22,763 posts)
122. I think that is as plausible
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 03:44 PM
Apr 19

as the moon landings being faked and the theory the Titanic didn't sink, it was an insurance scam

True Dough

(27,072 posts)
123. Relevant!
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 03:52 PM
Apr 19
MAGA Is Increasingly Convinced the Trump Assassination Attempt Was Staged

Conspiracy theories about the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting have ramped up in recent weeks as once steadfast Trump supporters turn on the president


https://www.wired.com/story/maga-is-increasingly-convinced-the-trump-assassination-attempt-was-staged/

hamsterjill

(17,689 posts)
125. Look, I don't know what that asshole did, but
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 04:27 PM
Apr 19

I know an ear does NOT grow back when it's been blown off - even a small part of it. He was a reality television persona before his political career and I am sure he's capable of producing all kinds of stunts.

Just because we can't justify why it was staged does not mean that it was real. From day one, something has been suspicious about the whole episode.

Celerity

(54,732 posts)
128. De-rec. I'm dispirited that this CT miasma still floats around here like a toxic cloud. It's a bad look for our board.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 04:51 PM
Apr 19


The CT dross continously popping up here is just so dire to see. The teleprompters were intact, people literally died, a bullet was photographed mid-flight, and the 'glass' that was seemingly endlessly ranted about back then was Trump's exposed ear cartilage.











Abolishinist

(3,000 posts)
145. I think that's a fair concern.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:07 PM
Apr 19

When claims this serious get made without evidence, it doesn’t reflect especially well—on the argument or the forum.

At some point it stops being a discussion of what happened and becomes a discussion of what could be imagined.

John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
150. Agreed. The video stills show T's right palm (w/o blood) move to his right ear.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:58 PM
Apr 19

That motion is simultaneous with the first shot. A photograph shows what could be a projectile moving south, away from T, after passing by the right side of his head. When T's right palm comes down from his right ear an instant later, it has blood on it. A second or two later, hydraulic fluid sprays from equipment at the south end of the deck.

Two or three more shots ensue in that first volley. The firefighter, seated to the north from where T was standing, is struck in the head by one of those rounds.

After a few seconds elapse, another volley commences. Video shows a male, south of where T was standing, sustaining the impact of a round to his abdomen. Another male is shot at this point. The injury is to his arm.

The sniper's volley concludes because of shots fired by one or more counter snipers. As I understand it, the first counter sniper round struck the sniper's rifle, rendering it inoperable. The second counter sniper round struck the sniper's head.

Celerity

(54,732 posts)
174. Fact Check: FAKE Photo Shows Trump With No Damage To His Ear Immediately After Butler Assassination Attempt -- It's AI
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 11:17 AM
Tuesday
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fact-check-fake-photo-shows-031042584.html





Is a photo that shows Donald Trump with no damage to his ear immediately after the Butler assassination attempt authentic? No, that's not true: An online AI detection tool rated the image as 100% likely AI-generated. The account that originally posted the photo posts multiple AI images. Published images from the day of the assassination attempt show Trump with blood on his ear.

The claim appeared in an April 17, 2026, post on Facebook account @T.bigpicture (archived here). It opened:

WHITE HOUSE REJECTS CLAIM
TRUMP AS@SSINATION ATTEMPT WAS FAKE
CALLS IT IRRESPONSIBLE.

This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:


Image source: post by @T.bigpicture on Facebook.

The account that posted the image Emery Gaming @T.bigpicture (archived here) shares multiple AI-generated photos. The post caption claimed the White House had denied that the Butler assassination attempt was faked and used an AI-generated image showing Trump without any blood or damage on his ear. It states:



A telltale sign of AI in the photo shows the car door bent in an impossible way behind Trump, as this screenshot shows (red highlight added by Lead Stories):


Trumpshot.jpeg
(Image source: post by @T.bigpicture on Facebook.)




snip

True Dough

(27,072 posts)
179. Appreciate knowing that, Celerity.
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 01:25 PM
Tuesday

Do you know of any legitimate images that show scar tissue of any kind on Trump's ear?

Celerity

(54,732 posts)
180. I posted pics of the wound from mainstream news reports as soon as the day it happened. I posted a pic in this OP thread
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 02:22 PM
Tuesday
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221183901#post128

Trump's exposed ear cartilage (initial FUD and/or CT posts claimed it was 'glass'):



True Dough

(27,072 posts)
181. Yes, but I'm looking for something since then
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 03:19 PM
Tuesday

that shows the scar from that wound. Do you know of any such images?

IcyPeas

(25,651 posts)
137. GoFundMe raised $4 million for victims....
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:01 PM
Apr 19
.....has raised over $4 million, with top donors including Dana White and Kid Rock.

The GoFundMe, which says it is "President Trump authorized" is organized by Meredith O'Rourke,

Top donations so far for the O'Rourke GoFundMe include $50,000 from the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, $50,000 from American Hartford Gold, $50,000 from UFC CEO White and $50,000 from the singer Kid Rock.

Other large, notable donations to the fundraiser include $30,000 from former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, $25,000 from the Scaramucci family and $15,000 from conservative pundit Ben Shapiro.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/15/gofundme-corey-comperatore-trump-rally-victims/74405721007/

Liberal In Texas

(16,343 posts)
139. And there is this...
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:22 PM
Apr 19

From Blue Sky

You can call it a hoax. You can call it a staged event. But mostly you can call it the workings of a sick, demented man.

LC (@lc1summit.bsky.social) 2026-04-19T15:48:01.079Z

misanthrope

(9,556 posts)
140. Considering that four LEOs near Trump were wounded by debris
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:26 PM
Apr 19

I find it far more likely he was nicked on the ear by debris as well. It seems more likely than Trump being grazed by a live round just lightly enough to graze skin yet suffer no effects from cavitation. That's why they have kept any following "medical report" largely obscured except for a curiously definitive pronouncement from Dr. Ronny "Pill-popper" Jackson.

Response to misanthrope (Reply #140)

John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
182. My opinion is that, as extremely improbable as it seems, the grazing in fact occurred.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 07:44 AM
Thursday

The first round grazed Trump's ear. Video shows he raised his hand to his ear simultaneously with the sound of the first shot. (There may have been debris flying from a subsequent shot, after Trump was pulled to the ground by the Secret Service detail.) Also, I believe the high-shutter-speed photo shows the grazing bullet in mid-air air (a few feet past Trump) after it grazed him.

In televised remarks about ten days before the Butler County attempt on Trump's life, President Biden was asked if he would release all medical records regarding his neurological testing, a fair question considering his first debate performance. President Biden replied that he would not do do. President Biden stated that, no matter how extensive such a release would be, there would still be those who would criticize their content and completeness, and who would otherwise and nit pick at them.

I think both President Biden and Trump were correct in putting a limit on how many medical records were released from their respective charts.

misanthrope

(9,556 posts)
187. In the photo you mention
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 12:03 PM
Thursday

Can you tell that the object is an actual ballistic round or is it just a blur? If it is a blur, could it have been debris?

If the round passed that close to his ear, should there have been more effects from cavitation?

John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
188. To my understanding, experts agree that the streak shown in the photo was made by an object traveling at bullet speed.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 01:55 PM
Thursday

I welcome scrutiny of the evidence. I am not an expert on camera shutter speeds and related optics matters to personally determine the speed of the object which produced the streak shown in the first Pulitzer Prize winning photo shown below.







As an aside, I will mention that this instant of time corresponds to the beginning of the failure of the hydraulic lift which was located in the direction of travel of the object. The failure was caused by a sudden breakage in the hydraulic fluid circuit.

misanthrope

(9,556 posts)
190. That certainly sounds like a possibility one round struck the lift
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 05:30 PM
Thursday

in some way, compromising hydraulic pressure.

bluestarone

(22,347 posts)
143. I only know one thing about this subject
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 06:30 PM
Apr 19

I know 100% that TSF is capable of doing any God Dam thing that NORMAL Americans would NEVER do!! That's a fact!

Doodley

(12,017 posts)
146. If I may float the idea that Trump is a "Manchurian candidate" and so is the shooter, in addition
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:45 PM
Apr 19

to the most senior secret service official there that day.

A "Manchurian candidate" is a politician or person in a position of influence who is secretly manipulated, programmed, or brainwashed by an enemy power to act as a puppet against their own country's interests. Often acting unwittingly, the individual appears independent but serves a foreign or hidden agenda.
Dictionary.com

Crunchy Frog

(28,294 posts)
148. He probably had some of his "people"
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 07:54 PM
Apr 19

handle all of the actual details for him. I don't think he's got enough executive function to arrange the whole thing himself.

Apparently the russians were talking about trying something similar with Viktor Orban.

EdmondDantes_

(1,973 posts)
153. No. The Trump orbit is made of idiots
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:00 PM
Apr 19

They couldn't pull that off much less keep quiet. Trump got lucky the assassin missed and that he was able to milk it for attention. He's a relentless self promoter.

Kaleva

(40,397 posts)
173. Many here think he's a mastermind
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 09:43 AM
Monday

Or is the pawn of a group of masterminds.

The crap we see reported almost daily by reputable sources confirm otherwise.

50 Shades Of Blue

(11,476 posts)
155. Essentially, yes. I do not think he was really shot, and I do think he knew he wasn't shot/supposed to be shot.
Sun Apr 19, 2026, 08:03 PM
Apr 19

He and his minions don't give a shit about causing collateral damage.

CNYHarris

(149 posts)
168. Two media videos
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 12:33 AM
Monday




Ventura believes it to be a box cutter incident.

Remember the Secret Service was reportedly in on 1/6 too.

secret service tried to take mike pence away from the capitol to throw the election to trump. grassley was reported to be ready to challenge the result after pence was taken away by the SS.

True Dough

(27,072 posts)
171. Not done here yet!
Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:49 AM
Monday

Donhammed Trumpistan
@TheRealDon85

Question Of The Day: Who the fuck chooses not to investigate their own assassination attempt?


The_Counsel

(1,758 posts)
177. Not for Nothing, but Has Anyone Actually SEEN Evidence of Anyone Being Shot/Killed at That Butler Rally?
Tue Apr 21, 2026, 11:46 AM
Tuesday

I mean seriously...how many angles have we seen of that "assassination attempt?" And in NONE of them, do we see anyone in the crowd actually getting hit. No bodies going down. No one ducking for cover. No one tending to the wounded.

Just Orange Julius Caesar grabbing for is ear and ducking behind the podium (which is hardly protection for one under fire, BTW).

Follwed by agents "tackling" him and providing cover while the ketchup packet is applied.

Then helping him up so he can pose for a photo op--not what a security detail should be doing if the person they're guarding has just been shot at.

It was all a show, kids.

Hell, even the alleged shooter had been "killed" and any public evidence of HIS existence has disappeared.

I'll never be convinced that this was anything more than a setup....

John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
183. One video show a man standing, looking north, and taking a bullet to his abdomen.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 08:06 AM
Thursday

I saw the video. I think it is on YouTube.

ON EDIT: The particular video I watched in 2024 was a bit sharper, but here is a link to another video which nonetheless does show the two audience members being hit. The relevant sequence occurs at about one minute, twenty seconds:


John1956PA

(5,061 posts)
184. I found the video I watched in 2024.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 08:44 AM
Thursday

The name of the man who produced the video is Mike Bell. One year after he posted his 2024 video, he posted a comment on it by which he made a correction. He stated that he was wrong about the male looking north. By his correction, Mr. Ball states that the male was not taking a bullet, but he was bending over to avoid any potential projectiles.

I appreciate the scrutiny posted in this thread. It has led me to review my understanding of the July 13, 2024, event.

ecstatic

(35,115 posts)
185. That idea was proposed for Orban/Hungary so why not the US?
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 11:11 AM
Thursday

Per the Washington Post:

In March 2026, reports surfaced that Russian operatives proposed a plot called "The Gamechanger" to aid Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The plan involved staging a fake assassination attempt against Orbán to stir his supporters and tip the Hungarian election in his favor.


Isn't there a chance they also attempted to boost tRump's chances using similar methods? There are a lot of red flags when it comes to the situation that occurred.

We can look at tRump's past video footage and see that he gets extremely frightened in a lot of situations - for example, with the bird on his desk, or his hiding out in the bunker during the 2020 protests.

So are we now to believe that he heard shots ring out and whiz past his head but instead of running for cover he's putting on his shoes and staging a photo op?

I understand that the obvious, common sense thought pattern would be: why would someone risk getting shot in the head? Or why would someone risk one of their own supporters getting killed?

But you have to remember who we're dealing with. tRump is an extremely ignorant, stupid, impulsive, and amoral sociopath. He's also an authoritarian, black and white thinker. So if he's convinced that there are individuals who can handle that type of operation, he's not going to have doubts or second thoughts.

jmowreader

(53,305 posts)
191. I do not
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 05:47 PM
Thursday

I believe there are plenty of MAGAts who would have done it for free, which is all Trump wants to pay for anything.

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