A new photo shows how close a bullet came to killing Donald Trump during a shooting at his campaign rally.
Trump was seen covered in blood after a gunman, who the FBI has since identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot the former president in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday local time.
The disturbing photo shows a gray line, a moving bullet, flying just inches from Trump’s head.
The photo followed a video showing Trump’s life-saving action as a bullet whizzed past his head.
Just before he was hit in the ear, Trump turned his head slightly — a fortunate head movement that may have saved him from more serious injury, or even death.
A moment after the former president moved his head slightly, the bullet appeared to hit him in the ear.
In the upper right corner of the video, a fast-moving gray spot appeared at second 8. This could be the bullet.
At the end of the clip, Trump slams his hand against the side of his head. Blood can be seen above his ear and running down his face.
A new photo shows how close a bullet (pictured right) came to killing former President Donald Trump during a rally on Saturday, local time
Trump was seen covered in blood after a gunman, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot the former president in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The video begins with Trump addressing his supporters in Butler, PA
“Watch Trump turn his head at the very last moment before the first shot is fired,” reads a slow-motion video of the shooting shown on X by The Hodget Twins.
Another X user, Happy momentsretweeted the video and wrote: ‘Literally a fraction of an inch at the last millisecond. 100 percent divine intervention.’
The incredible photo was captured by New York Times photographer Doug Mills, who recalled it as “a very standard, typical gathering” before the tragedy unfolded.
“All of a sudden there were, I think, three or four loud pops,” he told The New York Times.
“At first I thought it was a car. The last thing I thought was a gun. I kept taking pictures. He went behind the lectern and I thought, ‘Oh my God, something happened.’
After Trump was apparently beaten, he fell backstage and was surrounded by Secret Service agents, who then led the former president offstage and toward his motorcade.
Before leaving the stage, Trump once again raised his fist vigorously to the crowd, prompting his adoring audience to chant, “USA! USA!”
Following the incident, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social shedding light on the shooting.
“There is no information at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” the GOP frontrunner wrote.
“I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump continued.
“I knew right away something was wrong. I heard a whooshing sound, shots and immediately felt the bullet rip through my skin.”
Then Trump moves his head a little bit, just before the bullet reaches him
A moment later, Trump is apparently hit in the ear by the bullet. Onlookers were quick to point out how close the bullet was to Trump in a more deadly area
The former president added: “There was a lot of blood loss, so that’s when I realized what was going on.”
Trump went on to offer his “condolences to the family of the person who was killed at the rally, and also to the family of another person who was seriously injured.”
The former president also expressed gratitude for the Secret Service’s quick response.
He wrote: “I would like to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their swift response to the recent shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.”
Anthony Guglielmi, director of communications for the Secret Service, issued a press release with more details about the shooting.
‘At 6:15 p.m., a suspected gunman fired multiple shots at the stage from a high position outside the rally venue.’
Guglielmi continued: “U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who has since died.”
Trump remained defiant after the attack, energetically raising his fist in the air to the crowd
At the end of the statement, the communications chief confirmed that one spectator had died and two spectators had been injured.
The FBI is currently investigating the shooting, which is being treated as an attempted murder.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson also announced that the House will conduct a full investigation.
“The American people deserve to know the truth,” said Chairman Johnson.