White House doctor under former President Donald Trump and GOP Representative Ronny Jackson insisted Friday that the GOP nominee was injured earlier in the month by a bullet from a would-be assassin, not glass, shrapnel, or anything else.
In a letter posted on X and addressed to the “concerned citizens of the United States,” the Republican from Texas said that as the former president’s former doctor, he and Trump’s primary care physician are continuing to monitor his injury closely and said one of the shots that was fired in the July 13 attack in Butler County, Pennsylvania hit Trump’s upper right ear.
“I have reviewed President Trump’s medical records from Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was initially treated for a “Gunshot Wound to the Right Ear,” wrote Jackson in the letter.
He added he was a U.S. Navy emergency physician for 20 years and has treated “many gunshot wounds.”
“Based on my direct observations of the injury, my relevant clinical background, and my significant experience evaluating and treating patients with similar wounds, I completely concur with the initial assessment and treatment provided by the doctors and nurses at Butler Memorial Hospital on the day of the shooting,” said Jackson.
Earlier in the week, Christopher Wray, FBI director, told members of the House Judiciary Committee that it’s unclear what caused the injury to Trump, sparking outcry from Trump, who insists it was a bullet that hit him at the rally.
“There’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear,” said Wray to the committee. “As I sit here right now, I don’t know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else.”
“There is absolutely no evidence that it was anything other than a bullet,” said Jackson Friday. “Congress should correct the record as confirmed by both the hospital and myself. Director Wray is wrong and inappropriate in suggesting anything else.”
In the meantime, Trump’s current physician, his campaign, or the hospital haven’t issued an official report about the former president’s injury, noted The New York Times in a Friday analysis that concluded a bullet and not shrapnel caused the injury to Trump.
The FBI stated it’s examining metal fragments found near the rally stage to determine whether shrapnel or a bullet grazed Trump’s head.
Meanwhile, Jackson wants to “assure the American people and the rest of the world” that former President Trump is recovering well.
“He is rapidly recovering from the gunshot to his right ear,” said Jackson. “I will continue to be available to assist President Trump and his personal physician in any way they see fit and will provide updates as necessary and with the permission of President Trump.”
