Trump blames Democrat plot for failed assassination attempt

On September 15, 2026, President Donald Trump claimed that the failed assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, was a "Democrat Plot." He criticized the FBI under Joe Biden for mishandling the investigation. The attempt occurred on July 13, 2024, when Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump in the ear. Newly released documents show Crooks used the alias "Bob Dole" for purchases and that an anonymous donor paid for his cremation. The FBI ended its investigation in 2025 without determining a motive.