Images of Donald Trump, his security detail 'smiling' after rally shooting are edited

What is the claim?

Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania election rally, two images circulating on social media purportedly depict the former U.S. President and his security personnel smiling right after the shooting incident. These images are being used to claim that the attack was 'staged.'

Screenshot of the viral posts circulating online. (Source: X/Threads/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts) 

Trump was shot at and injured in the assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident who was killed at the scene. The gunman's motive remains under investigation.

However, the images now in question have been edited. 

How did we find it?

Logically Facts determined that both viral images were digitally altered. The original photographs do not show Trump or his security personnel smiling in the aftermath of the attack.

Trump’s ‘smiling’ image

An X (formerly Twitter) post sharing an edited image of Trump smiling garnered over a million views. The caption read, "Trump is *smiling* AFTER surviving an assassination attempt! None of this passes the smell test." Archived versions of similar posts are available here and here.

A reverse image search of the image led to the original Associated Press (AP) photograph by Evan Vucci. This unaltered image shows Trump with a serious expression, surrounded by security agents.

Comparison between the viral image and the original picture. (Source: X/AP News/Screenshot)

Image showing Trump’s security personnel ‘smiling’

Another viral image supposedly showed a member of Trump's security detail smiling as the former president raised his fist to the crowd after being shot. The post, captioned "Now we know why Trump was missing for 11 days. Rehearsals," insinuated that the attack was staged. This post received nearly 1.5 million views at the time of this fact-check. Archived versions of similar posts are available here, here, and here.

A reverse image search revealed the original AP News photograph, also taken by Vucci. In this unedited image, none of the security agents are smiling.

Comparison between the viral image and the original picture. (Source: X/AP News/Screenshot)   

Additional images and videos from reputable media organizations such as Getty Images, NBC News, Reuters, and CNN confirm that neither Trump nor his security personnel were smiling at any point following the attack.

The verdict

Digitally altered images of Trump and his security personnel smiling after the assassination attempt have been circulated on social media to falsely claim that the shooting was 'staged.'

Follow Logically Facts' coverage and fact-checking of the U.S. Election 2024 here.