The White House has delivered a blunt reply after Jesse Ventura questioned the legitimacy of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Speaking with Piers Morgan, the former WWE performer and ex-Minnesota governor suggested the attempt on Trump’s life was ‘fake’.
Ventura appeared to catch Morgan off guard as he compared the moment to a ‘blade job’ — a pro-wrestling practice where someone intentionally cuts themselves, often with a small blade, to produce blood and heighten the drama for the audience.
Although the tactic is rooted in scripted entertainment, Ventura argued that the same concept could apply to what happened at the July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
But the White House pushed back hard on the claim from the Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura host, responding to what it called that ‘dark day’ in 2024 and dismissing Ventura’s suggestion outright.
The statement reads:
“On that tragic day in Butler, Pennsylvania, we tragically lost an American hero, Corey Comperatore, who selflessly laid down his life to protect those around him. President Trump will never forget Corey and his beautiful family.
The spokesperson adds:
“On that dark day, God spared President Trump’s life by a miraculous millimeter. President Trump is standing stronger than ever as he continues to ‘fight, fight, fight’ for the American people. Only a fool would believe otherwise.”
In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, Trump was addressing supporters at the rally when a bullet caught his ear, grazing it as he turned toward a chart positioned beside him on stage.
As shots rang out, Secret Service agents reacted immediately, and Trump dropped behind the lectern for cover.
Moments later, he stood back up with blood visible on his face and lifted his fist while agents moved him off the stage.
He later appeared in Wisconsin wearing a bandage on his ear.
In the aftermath of the shooting, social media filled with false allegations, conspiracy theories, and edited images about what happened.
Snopes addressed one viral claim involving supposed remarks from a “retired police detective” alleging Trump used a ‘blood capsule’ to create the blood on his ear, noting there was no evidence backing the assertion.
The FBI later provided additional information about the attack and identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks. Investigators said he fired an AR-15–style rifle from a nearby rooftop while Trump was speaking, before being killed by a Secret Service countersniper.
Trump survived, but one attendee was killed: Corey Comperatore, described as a retired fire chief from Buffalo Township. Two other people were seriously injured. Crooks was fatally shot at the scene by a Secret Service sniper.
The FBI also responded to claims that it had been deceptive or was holding back key details, speaking about the case with Fox News Digital.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino insisted that, after repeated review, investigators still had not found a clear motive for the attack.
“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.
“There is no motive for it, there is no reason for it.”
He also said the suspect may have intended to cause further harm, as authorities found an explosive device in his vehicle that had not detonated.