Full Breakdown
Trump alleges “Democratic plot” behind 2024 Butler assassination attempt
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Shooting at Butler rally and Trump’s conspiracy claim
On July 13, 2024, a gunman identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire from a rooftop at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service returned fire, killing Crooks. The attack killed one spectator, Corey Comperatore, and wounded two others; a bullet grazed Trump’s right ear.
He demanded that former FBI Director Christopher Wray “pay a price” for the investigation. No evidence was offered to substantiate the claim.
Background & Context
The FBI’s investigation, concluded in November 2025, found that Crooks acted alone, with no links to foreign actors, organized groups, or political operatives. The probe examined 13 electronic devices, over 500,000 files, and reviewed Crooks’ social-media, banking and email accounts, including some based in Germany and Belgium.
In September 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced “new information” about Crooks’ background, referencing FBI interviews with Crooks’ father that described the shooter’s quiet demeanor, gun obsession and use of the alias “Bob Dole” for online purchases. The documents were provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) as part of his ongoing inquiry.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
Christopher Wray was not reached for comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorney General Todd Blanche also expressed uncertainty about FBI leadership actions in the weeks before the attack, noting, “It’s not really clear what the leadership of the FBI were doing in the weeks and months ahead of the attempted assassination to protect President Trump.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Fox News and the New York Post reported that Crooks’ body was cremated by an anonymous donor, but neither outlet presented evidence linking the shooting to a broader conspiracy. The FBI’s final report found no motive for Crooks and no connections to other individuals or groups. Trump’s post offered no documentary proof for the alleged Democratic plot, and the Justice Department has not indicated any pending legal action.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Why wasn't it seen long ago?” — Donald Trump, candidate former president
- “We found no evidence that that individual was literally even speaking to any other human being other than his parents, who he resided with,” — Kash Patel, FBI director
- “It is new information about the shooter and about his background, about his history and that stuff that we didn't know before,” — General Todd Blanche, attorney
- “We have reviewed this case over and over, looked into every nugget. We have spoken to the families, the president. There is no cover-up here,” — Dan Bongino, former deputy director
These statements capture the president’s accusation, the FBI’s findings, the attorney general’s announcement of new information, and the former deputy director’s rebuttal.
The Butler shooting remains a stark example of political violence, and the divergent narratives surrounding it highlight the tension between official investigative conclusions and the former president’s unfounded conspiracy claims.