Eric Trump Expresses Dissatisfaction with Butler Assassination Attempt Investigation

Washington D.C. – Eric Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, has publicly voiced profound dissatisfaction with the information released regarding the attempted assassination of his father at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The younger Trump suggested a deeper conspiracy, stating, "I think they tried to kill my father because they did not want his voice on that stage… We better get to the bottom of who this guy was." This statement underscores ongoing questions and theories surrounding the July 13, 2024, incident.

The attack saw 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fire an AR-15-style rifle from a nearby rooftop, grazing Donald Trump's ear and killing one attendee, Corey Comperatore, while critically injuring two others. Crooks was subsequently killed by Secret Service counter-snipers. The incident, which occurred just two days before the 2024 Republican National Convention, was investigated by the FBI as an assassination attempt and potential act of domestic terrorism.

Following the shooting, significant scrutiny fell upon the Secret Service's security arrangements, particularly regarding rooftop access and inter-agency communication failures. This led to the resignation of then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. In July 2025, six Secret Service personnel received short-term suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days without pay or benefits, with the agency's deputy director, Matt Quinn, stating, "Secret Service is totally accountable for Butler. Butler was an operational failure."

Despite extensive investigations by the FBI and a bipartisan House task force, Crooks' definitive motive remains officially unknown. The task force's final report in December 2024 concluded that Crooks "exploited gaps in protection because of a lack of assets and staff." The FBI's findings indicated Crooks had searched for information on various public figures and past assassinations, and possessed explosive devices, but his political beliefs were described as contradictory.

Eric Trump's comments highlight a persistent demand from some quarters for more comprehensive answers, particularly regarding the underlying motivations behind the attack and the extent of any potential conspiracy. The incident continues to fuel political discourse and calls for enhanced security measures for presidential candidates.