A recent photo of Donald Trump in the White House has set the internet ablaze, with some conspiracy theories surfacing about his recovery. The image, shared on June 21, shows the former president in profile, wearing his signature MAGA hat, and offers a clear view of his right ear—an ear that, according to some, should still bear the scars of a traumatic event.
For those who need a quick refresher: During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, Trump was shot while addressing a crowd. 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking Trump in the right ear and critically injuring two audience members. A third person tragically lost their life at the scene. Crooks was swiftly neutralized by a Secret Service agent.
In the aftermath, Trump sported a white bandage around his ear, with many of his supporters mirroring the gesture as a show of solidarity. Despite the close call, Trump made a full recovery and continued his campaign without further physical harm—until now.
Fast-forward to the present, and that same ear, which should have shown signs of a bullet wound, appears completely healed in the new White House photo. This has sent social media into a frenzy. Some have pointed out the apparent “miracle” of Trump’s ear seemingly untouched by the previous injury, while others have humorously suggested he’s earned the title of “Nobel Prize-worthy” for his ability to regenerate tissue.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned, “Isn’t this the ear that took a bullet?” Another joked, “Forget the Nobel Peace Prize—Trump might just be the first to win a Nobel for Medicine with a natural ear regrowth.” And a third chimed in, “This photo from the Situation Room really shows Trump’s miraculous healing powers.”
As the theories and jokes continue to circulate, one thing’s clear: the photo has ignited a fresh wave of curiosity and speculation about Trump’s recovery—whether supernatural or simply a twist of fate.
Conspiracy Theories Swirl Around Trump’s Assassination Attempt, But Evidence Paints a Different Picture
Since the shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, conspiracy theories have continued to proliferate online. Some have even suggested that the entire incident could have been staged for political gain. However, many others have pushed back against these theories, citing the chaos of the outdoor shooting, the presence of thousands of witnesses, and numerous cameras that captured critical moments of the event.
“How exactly was it faked in an outdoor setting with 1000’s of witnesses and dozens of cameras? One of those cameras even captured the bullet in mid-air,” one social media user pointed out, calling into question the credibility of any claims that the event was a hoax.
Adding to the evidence against the staged theory, the FBI issued a statement confirming that Trump indeed suffered a gunshot wound to the ear. “What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle,” the FBI stated, reaffirming the legitimacy of the injury.
Just a week after the attack, Trump shared a signed letter from his former White House physician, Congressman Ronny Jackson, confirming the wound was a result of gunfire. Jackson’s report detailed the 2 cm-wide gunshot wound in Trump’s right ear, caused by a high-powered rifle. Jackson also explained the immediate aftermath: “Initial significant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear,” but noted the swelling had since resolved, and the wound was healing properly.
Importantly, Jackson took issue with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s suggestion that the injury could have been caused by shrapnel, calling the claim “absolutely irresponsible.” In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Jackson wrote: “IT WAS A BULLET — I’VE SEEN THE WOUND! PATHETIC!!!”
Despite the extensive medical and investigative evidence supporting the reality of the shooting, conspiracy theorists continue to question the authenticity of the event. But for Trump, the scars—both physical and emotional—remain.
In a recent interview with reporters on June 27, Trump described the lasting effects of the assassination attempt. “I still get that throbbing feeling every once in a while,” he admitted, referring to his ear. “It’s a constant reminder of the risks that come with the presidency.”
The former president has also previously mentioned the persistent sensation of pain, describing it as a “little throbbing feeling” during a Fox News interview last month. He reflected on the broader dangers of his position, stating, “This is a dangerous business. What I do is a dangerous business.”
While conspiracy theories continue to swirl, Trump’s personal recollections and the official evidence paint a starkly different picture—one of a very real attack with lasting consequences.