During Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, prior to the presidential election he ultimately won, the then-presidential candidate was shot at by a 20-year-old man named Thomas Crooks.
Trump was not seriously injured, sustaining only a wound to his ear. Tragically, Crooks killed a volunteer fire chief, and two others were wounded when he fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from the roof of a nearby building.
“For 15 seconds, time stood still,” Trump told the crowd afterward. “This vicious monster unleashed evil. The villain did not succeed in his goal.”
At the time, a spokesperson said Trump was “fine and being checked out at a local medical facility.” In his inauguration speech, Trump remarked, “I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Despite the attack, the FBI reportedly had little to no information about the shooter immediately after the incident. Speculation arose that details regarding Crooks and the shooting were not fully released.
Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas, speaking to The National News Desk, said the task force assigned to investigate was “stonewalled.”
“When we finally got answers that we thought were fully forthright, now it seems like they weren’t,” Fallon said, adding that the investigation suggested the event could have been preventable.
Among those questioning the official account of the July 2024 shooting is Jesse Ventura, the former WWE star and Minnesota governor. Ventura sparked controversy during an interview with Piers Morgan, suggesting the incident might have been staged.
Known for his interest in conspiracies—especially through his show Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura—he compared Trump’s near-miss to what wrestlers call a “blade job.” In professional wrestling, a blade job involves a performer deliberately cutting themselves to make an injury look more dramatic, purely for entertainment purposes. Ventura implied a similar idea might apply to the rally shooting.
Trump had been speaking to the crowd when the bullet struck his ear as he turned to examine a chart on stage. Secret Service agents immediately intervened, and Trump was later seen in Wisconsin with a bandage on his ear.
During the interview, Morgan pointed out Trump’s defiance after the attack. Ventura responded, “Oh yeah right, right, right, you ever heard of a blade job?” When asked if he believed the assassination attempt was “fake,” Ventura said, “I don’t know, where’s his scar today?”
Morgan then reminded Ventura of the volunteer fire chief who died in the shooting. Ventura replied, “I don’t know, come on Piers, you’re going to tell me this guy’s a big hero now?” Pressed further, Ventura added, “Then he accomplished what he wanted out of you guys.”
When asked what he would say to Trump face-to-face, Ventura said he would “rather not,” explaining, “He has no courage. He never has. There’s always one guy who will start the fight, and then hold your coat. That’s Donald Trump.”
Ventura, born in Minneapolis, has had a varied career across multiple fields. He served in the U.S. Navy’s Underwater Demolition/SEAL Teams during the Vietnam War before becoming a professional wrestler. From 1975 to 1986, he wrestled as Jesse “The Body” Ventura, often portraying an evil character.
After retiring from wrestling, Ventura stayed with the WWF/WWE as a commentator and was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. He also pursued acting, appearing in popular films such as Predator and The Running Man.
Ventura entered politics in 1991, becoming the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, a role he held for four years. His major political breakthrough came in 1998 when he ran for governor of Minnesota, winning as a Reform Party candidate despite facing both Democratic and Republican opponents.
Later, he distanced himself from the Reform Party and completed his term as a member of the Independence Party. During his governorship, Ventura implemented tax reforms, lowered income taxes, and played a key role in constructing the METRO Blue Line light rail system. He chose not to seek a second term, leaving office in 2003.
Since then, Ventura has remained politically active through books, television appearances, and endorsements, including supporting the Green Party in 2020 and the Democratic Party in 2024.
