Donald Trump arrived in Milwaukee amidst the aftermath of a harrowing assassination attempt, yet questions surrounding his health and medical treatment remain unanswered. As he prepares to announce his running mate, the lack of transparency regarding his condition is generating considerable speculation.
Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the Trump campaign nor Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was reportedly treated on Saturday, have released any details about the former president’s diagnosis, treatment, or current condition. Tom Chakurda, a spokesperson for Butler Memorial Hospital, stated, “We’re deferring any comment to the Trump team,” when contacted by The Daily Beast on Monday. The Trump campaign has also remained silent, declining to address inquiries about Trump’s health and medical care.
Information regarding Trump’s injuries is limited to his own statements claiming he is unharmed and an ABC News report indicating he underwent a CT scan.
Trump has recounted to supporters and conservative media outlets his disbelief at surviving the attack. In an interview with Byron York of the Washington Examiner, Trump suggested he was grazed by a bullet, an injury that could have been fatal had he not fortuitously turned his head at the precise moment. He described the near-miss, stating, “The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount. If I only half-turn, it hits the back of the brain. The other way goes right through [the skull]. And because the sign was high, I’m looking up. The chances of my making a perfect turn are probably one-tenth of 1%, so I’m not supposed to be here.”
Trump attributes his survival to turning his head, a subtle movement that he believes saved his life. Attendees at the Pennsylvania rally first realized something was amiss when Trump abruptly raised his hand to his ear. The incident occurred when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks allegedly opened fire, killing a Trump supporter and seriously injuring two others. This marked the first assassination attempt on a current or former president since 1981.
ABC News reported, citing anonymous sources, that Trump received a precautionary CT scan, which reportedly came back clear. However, the official silence from Butler Memorial Hospital suggests adherence to patient confidentiality agreements, placing the onus on Trump to authorize any public disclosure of his medical information. On Saturday evening, following the attack, Trump was taken to Butler Memorial. His security detail initially described his condition as “fine” at 6:42 p.m. that evening.
To date, the Trump campaign has not disclosed the specifics of any medical tests conducted, the treatment administered, the nature of his injuries, or whether follow-up care will be necessary. While these details might seem minor, the American public typically expects full transparency regarding the health of their president. This expectation is underscored by the intense scrutiny surrounding President Joe Biden’s cognitive fitness, a concern amplified by members of his own party.
Trump himself faced similar questions during his presidency regarding his COVID-19 diagnosis in 2020. His illness was later revealed to be significantly more severe than initially disclosed by the White House, requiring hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Now, the unanswered questions pertain to the first assassination attempt in over four decades, amplifying the demand for clarity surrounding Trump’s health and the specifics of his medical evaluation and treatment in the aftermath of this unprecedented event.
