Fact check: Did Donald Trump really get shot in the ear?

1. Summary of the results

Yes, Donald Trump was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt. Multiple credible sources confirm this fact occurred in July 2024. The FBI officially confirmed that a bullet caused the wound to Trump's ear during the assassination attempt at a rally ^[1]. Trump himself stated on Truth Social that "the bullet hit the upper part of his right ear" ^[2]. Additional reporting confirms the shooter "fired a bullet that Trump said struck him in the upper ear," with sources providing specific details about the incident including "clipping Trump's right ear" and information about the type of rifle used and Secret Service response ^{[2] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the widespread misinformation campaign that followed the assassination attempt. Several sources reveal that manipulated photos and false claims have circulated online attempting to cast doubt on the shooting. Specifically, a photo that appeared to show Trump's ear with no damage was actually from 2022, not a recent image, and was being used to spread misinformation about the incident ^{[4] [5]}.

The sources also highlight the broader issue of conspiracy theories and misinformation surrounding the assassination attempt ^{[2] [6]}. This context is crucial because it shows that while the shooting itself is factually established, there has been a deliberate effort to spread false information about the event.

Missing from the analyses are details about who specifically benefits from promoting conspiracy theories about this event, though the sources do emphasize the importance of fact-checking and identifying manipulated images in the aftermath of such incidents ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and straightforward, asking for factual verification rather than making a claim. However, the phrasing "really get shot" could potentially reflect exposure to or influence from the misinformation campaigns documented in the sources. The word "really" suggests doubt about an established historical fact that occurred in July 2024.

The question's framing may inadvertently amplify conspiracy theories by treating a well-documented event as questionable. Given that multiple authoritative sources, including the FBI, have confirmed the shooting occurred ^[1], and that misinformation specifically targeting this event has been identified and debunked ^{[4] [5]}, the question's implicit skepticism aligns with documented disinformation efforts rather than legitimate factual inquiry.