# What does it matter if Trump's ear was damaged by a bullet or shrapnel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789 "2024-07-25T19:49:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/41 "2024-07-25T23:35:37Z")
My beloved Wife sent me a picture of a renamed [Mexican breakfast pastry](https://x.com/elgalonodice/status/1814146191334224378). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/42 "2024-07-26T01:48:04Z")
FWIW. The FBI thinks it matters. > # F.B.I. Examining Bullet Fragments Found at Trump Rally Site > > The bureau is assessing what caused the former president’s wound during an assassination attempt. The question has turned political. [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/us/politics/fbi-bullet-trump-rally.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.-E0.EfmM.ufsTeFhgdTVi&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/us/politics/fbi-bullet-trump-rally.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-E0.EfmM.ufsTeFhgdTVi&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/43 "2024-07-26T05:24:13Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’m sure the people who were shot, and their families, don’t think there was any divine intervention going on. It would not surprise me at all though if Trump and/or everyone else in the crowd who didn’t get shot found a way to say that the people who got hit totally deserved it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/44 "2024-07-26T05:31:43Z")
I’m trying to imagine the position Trump would have had to be in without giggling, and I’m failing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/45 "2024-07-26T05:32:20Z")
Wait. Wut? They’d never say their glorious leader deserved it. They might think they, themselves are clearly not worthy, some how and amp up their Trump attire and sweaty breathlessness and adoring tearful glances next time. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/46 "2024-07-26T05:44:48Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > They’d never say their glorious leader deserved it. Not Trump, just the civilians in the crowd who caught strays. One person died and I believe two others were taken to hospital. Why were they not worthy of divine intervention? Must have been for a reason… (disclaimer: I do not subscribe to any kind of “just world” philosophy personally) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/47 "2024-07-26T06:08:40Z")
Ohhhhh… got it. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/48 "2024-07-26T09:16:17Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I don’t believe it was divine intervention in either case. That it was a bullet probably matters to a part of his base, but it’s a part that isn’t going to be persuaded by evidence in any case. I’d say it’s the lunatic fringe of his base, but that term has lost all meaning when it comes to his base. There are preachers who believe that he is the literal Messiah, Christ come back to Earth. > **[President Donald J. Trump, The Son of Man - The Christ: Müller, Helgard:...](https://www.amazon.com/President-Donald-Trump-Son-Man/dp/1977249248)** > > President Donald J. Trump, The Son of Man - The Christ \[Müller, Helgard\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. President Donald J. Trump, The Son of Man - The Christ ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/49 "2024-07-26T10:02:28Z")
If the bullet missing Trump was an Act Of God, then God needs a little more target practice before he is ready for prime time. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/50 "2024-07-26T12:33:09Z")
Jesus deflected the bullet because he’s not quite ready to give up the throne at the right hand side of God. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/51 "2024-07-26T12:54:45Z")
Jesus Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/52 "2024-07-26T12:55:37Z")
All this hoopla about whether it was a bullet or shrapnel **only matters to the extent it gets DJT back in the headlines and takes the focus off of Harris.** Seriously. He can’t stand being out of the spotlight and bitching about the FBI statement changes that. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/53 "2024-07-27T00:30:33Z")
You know I’m not a a Christian or even theist anymore for that matter. But the complete sacrilege of that about takes my breath away. Not to mention the monumental stupidity, and inappropriatness of equating that imoral, unethical, criminal with Jesus for freakin’ cryeye?!!? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/54 "2024-07-27T00:39:31Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Jesus deflected the bullet because he’s not quite ready to give up the throne at the right hand side of God. And God said “That smelly ass isn’t getting anywhere near me! Deflect that bullet, son.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/55 "2024-07-27T01:14:32Z")
Today the FBI said it was definitely a bullet or a fragment of one. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/56 "2024-07-27T01:21:54Z")
I’m glad we got that settled. Now, we can go back to mispronouncing candidate’s names. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/57 "2024-07-27T13:00:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Today the FBI said it was definitely a bullet or a fragment of one. The agency which has never been led by a Democrat comes out and does a Republican’s bidding. Color me surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/58 "2024-07-27T14:58:22Z")
So you’re saying the FBI’s thought process goes like this: _Director, it was shrapnel._ Yes, but shrapnel doesn’t make Trump or the Republicans look as good. They need glory and drama. _So what do you want, boss?_ Tell the media that it was a bullet or bullet fragment. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/59 "2024-07-27T18:55:30Z")
A fragment isn’t good enough for a real man to be shot with. A wonder if that will become a talking point. “It was a complete bullet. They said they had never seen a more complete bullet! It was perfect!” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789/60 "2024-07-27T21:59:34Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Today the FBI said it was definitely a bullet or a fragment of one. A distinction which does nothing to support the ‘he escaped death by a hair’s breadth’ story—because _if it was a fragment, then that fragment likely ricocheted off some other surface._ No bullet aimed at His head by a superb marksman who only missed due to God turning Donald’s noggin at the last minute. That entire story, er, blasted away. > [@Dissonance](#): > > That it was a bullet probably matters to a part of his base, but it’s a part that isn’t going to be persuaded by evidence in any case. Here’s the thing: given that we are in 2024, there were **literally hundreds of high-quality cameras** —meaning smart phones—aimed at the stage during all the seconds of this incident. If the FBI had access to all that footage they likely could recreate every trajectory of every bullet fired (including the trajectories of any fragments that resulted from any of those bullets being shattered by any impacts). What I’m wondering is: in devotion to Their Lord Trump, would many of those videos and photos have been destroyed by the owners of those phones? Just in case they might have shown something that contradicted the glorious story of ‘_Trump taking a bullet for democracy_’ … ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-matter-if-trumps-ear-was-damaged-by-a-bullet-or-shrapnel/1004789.md?page=4)