The image and claim that Trump was shot in the chest are misleading

After the incident where Donald Trump, the former president and current presidential candidate of the United States, was shot while campaigning on July 13, many misleading claims about the incident have spread on social media. One of these claims is that, in addition to being shot in the ear, Trump was also shot in the chest.

Social Media Claims

Recently, users on X (Twitter) posted a picture of Donald Trump during an assassination attempt. The message stated that Trump was shot in both the ear and chest areas.

Additionally, we found the same images and claims spreading on the Facebook platform.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

However, after investigation, we found that the image and claim are misleading.

Fact-checking

We conducted a fact-check using the Reverse Image Search feature to find the origin of the image in question. We discovered that the image came from an AP news report on July 14 (see the original image here).

Upon examining the high-resolution original image, we found that the mark resembling a hole in the questioned image is actually a fold from the sleeve of a Secret Service agent who approached to provide protection and escort Trump from the scene, not a mark on Trump's shirt.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Moreover, according to a report by Reuters, Trump recounted the incident, stating that he was only shot near his right ear and did not mention any bullet hole near the right side of his chest.

Latest Updates on Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation

F.B.I. officials informed Congress that the gunman who attempted to kill former President Trump had searched for images and appearances of Trump and Biden but showed no strong political views. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will face scrutiny in upcoming congressional hearings. The gunman was spotted acting strangely before the shooting, and local police fired at him during the incident. Investigators found two improvised bombs in his car. Multiple investigations are ongoing to understand the breach in security that led to the attack. (Source)

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Summary

The image and claim that Trump was shot in the chest are misleading. What appears to be a hole in the shirt is actually a crease in the sleeve of a special investigation unit member who was protecting Trump at the time, not a hole in Trump's shirt.