Former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, but has not publicly named the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump’s allies have blamed Democrats and their rhetoric for the attack, while investigators have yet to determine a motive. Trump has repeatedly referenced the assassination attempt during campaign rallies, often alluding to Crooks as a “lunatic” or “evil assassin.” Despite speaking at numerous events following the shooting, Trump has avoided directly discussing Crooks, with some close to the campaign suggesting it could encourage copycats. The FBI has described Crooks as a “loner” with a mix of ideologies, and is still investigating his motive. In contrast, another potential assailant, Ryan Routh, was quickly named and blamed for a foiled assassination attempt at Trump’s golf club. The former president and his allies have pointed to Routh’s history and support for Democrats as the reason for the incident, contrasting with Crooks, whose background as a registered Republican gun hobbyist complicates the conversation. Trump’s supporters at rallies have expressed a range of opinions on Crooks, from suspicion about the circumstances of the shooting to a belief that God intervened to save Trump. Overall, the silence around Crooks and the focus on other assailants highlights the political calculations and messaging strategy employed by Trump and his campaign.
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Thomas Crooks remains a forgotten name as Trump visits Butler, Pa.
