FBI director questions whether Trump was hit by a bullet or shrapnel

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee on July 24, casting uncertainty on whether former President Donald Trump was injured by a bullet or shrapnel during the assassination attempt on July 13.

Responding to queries from Chairman Jim Jordan, Wray stated, "There's some question about whether or not it's a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear." 

Wray clarified that while all cartridges have been accounted for, it remains possible that the bullet could have caused other injuries beyond the initial grazing.

During the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was seen flinching and raising his hand to his right ear as gunshots were fired. 

Following the incident, Trump posted on Truth Social, describing the attack and the immediate impact of the bullet. His posts on July 13 and 14 expressed gratitude for public support and emphasized resilience in the face of adversity.

Trump appeared with a bandaged ear at the Republican National Convention on July 15 and later described the incident in his speech, mentioning the loud whizzing sound and the blood from his ear. On July 20, Trump claimed he had "taken a bullet for democracy" at another rally in Michigan.

A memo from Trump’s former White House physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson, revealed a 2 cm wound on Trump's ear, though this information was not officially confirmed. 

Wray also revealed that the gunman had flown a drone over the rally site before the event and had researched JFK's assassination, indicating ongoing investigations into the incident.