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Gone quiet · last update Oct 3, 2026 / Donald Trump

The 2024 attempts on Trump's life in Butler and at his Florida golf club

Overview · reviewed October 28, 2026

Donald Trump survived two attempts on his life during the 2024 campaign. On July 13 a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from a rooftop at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, wounding Trump in the ear and killing a supporter; on September 15, Ryan Wesley Routh was found lying in wait with a rifle at Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.[1][2][3][4][5] Congressional and independent reviews found that the Butler shooting was preventable and faulted the Secret Service, whose director resigned.[6][7][8] Routh was convicted in September 2025 and sentenced to life in prison.[9][10]

Read the timeline

Follow this story to see new developments when you return.

Congressional and independent reviews found that the Butler shooting was preventable and faulted the Secret Service, whose director resigned.[6][7][8] Routh was convicted in September 2025 and sentenced to life in prison.[9][10]

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · monthly average of weekly shares (UTC)

Jul 2024: average weekly share 36% (left 11%, center 16%, right 10%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2024: average weekly share 12% (left 3%, center 5%, right 4%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2024: average weekly share 29% (left 8%, center 13%, right 8%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2024: average weekly share 5% (left 2%, center 2%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2025: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2025: average weekly share 7% (left 2%, center 3%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2025: average weekly share 5% (left 1%, center 2%, right 2%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2026: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center 0%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2026: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 1%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 2 of 2 weeks, so far

LeftCenterRight

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. Over more than two years each bar is a month: the average of that month's weekly shares, so the shape stays readable. The weekly table below keeps every week. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 13 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (31 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Sep 28, 20260055 of 4761%
Sep 21, 20268241850 of 47910%
Sep 14, 202644816 of 4803%
Jun 29, 202630811 of 5692%
Feb 2, 202649619 of 17711%
Sep 22, 202510121335 of 18919%
Sep 8, 202545211 of 2145%
Jul 21, 202536312 of 1906%
Jul 14, 20250101 of 1841%
Jul 7, 202510171340 of 19121%
Apr 7, 20252147 of 1944%
Dec 23, 2024410216 of 1928%
Dec 16, 20242259 of 2264%
Dec 9, 20240426 of 2083%
Dec 2, 202435513 of 2286%
Oct 28, 20242327 of 1964%
Oct 21, 202432712 of 1996%
Oct 14, 202434411 of 1956%
Oct 7, 20244419 of 2054%
Sep 30, 202415362374 of 22233%
Sep 23, 202421352480 of 21437%
Sep 16, 2024374227106 of 20951%
Sep 9, 202416231251 of 23022%
Aug 26, 20241214430 of 20415%
Aug 19, 20249191644 of 20921%
Aug 12, 202427918 of 2178%
Aug 5, 20240044 of 2022%
Jul 29, 202417341869 of 22830%
Jul 22, 2024384835121 of 23452%
Jul 15, 202431402798 of 22045%
Jul 8, 2024816731 of 18417%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Oct 3, 2026 · first reported · Headline from New York Post

    Trump’s attempted assassin sent mysterious texts about 3D printer leading up to Butler, Pa. shooting: report

Background

Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, when gunfire broke out; he was pulled away by Secret Service agents with blood on his ear from what he said was a gunshot.[1] Three supporters were shot, and one, Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer firefighter, was killed.[3][4] The FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks.[3] FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress that Crooks had flown a drone about 200 yards from the stage hours before the rally[11] and had searched online for how far Lee Harvey Oswald was from John F. Kennedy.[12] A senior FBI official later said Crooks saw the rally as a "target of opportunity."[13] The bureau confirmed that a bullet, whole or fragmented, had struck Trump's ear.[14] Days later Trump opened his speech accepting the nomination at the Republican convention with an account of the shooting.[15]

Read the full background (4 more paragraphs)

Questions turned quickly to the Secret Service. The agency acknowledged that it had turned down requests for more resources from Trump's security detail in the two years before the shooting,[16] and text messages showed that officers had raised concerns about Crooks more than 90 minutes before he climbed onto a roof and fired eight rounds.[17] Pennsylvania's state police chief said two local officers had left their post to search for him,[18] and the acting Secret Service director said he "cannot defend" why the roof was not secured.[19] Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23.[20][8] The House voted 416-0 to form a bipartisan task force,[21] and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas named an independent review panel.[22] The Secret Service put several agents on leave[23] and in 2025 suspended six.[24]

The second attempt came on Sunday, September 15, at Trump International Golf Club. A Secret Service agent opened fire and thwarted the attack, and court documents said Ryan Wesley Routh had camped along the tree line for nearly 12 hours.[5][25] Prosecutors said he had left a note addressed "Dear World" saying he intended to kill Trump.[26] Routh was on a charge of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and pleaded not guilty,[27][28] and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened a separate state investigation.[29] Florida later charged him with attempted first-degree murder and terrorism.[30] Judge Aileen Cannon allowed him to represent himself at trial;[31] a jury convicted him on all counts,[9] and in February 2026 Cannon sentenced him to life.[10]

The reviews delivered their findings that fall. A bipartisan Senate investigation called the Butler failures "foreseeable, preventable";[7] the independent panel said the Secret Service needed "fundamental reform" and warned that "another Butler can and will happen again";[32] and the House task force said the shooting "should not have happened."[6] Congress moved to guarantee Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris the same level of protection as a sitting president.[33] Trump spoke from behind bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies[34] and returned to Butler on October 5 for a rally with JD Vance and Elon Musk.[35] A 2025 congressional watchdog report found that senior Secret Service officials had failed to share classified threat information with agents in Butler, the New York Post reported.[36]

In September 2026, Trump said new information showed that the FBI under President Joe Biden had mishandled the Butler investigation, calling the shooting a "Democrat plot."[37] That month James Copenhaver, one of the three rallygoers shot in Butler, died at 76; his lawyer announced the death.[38]

Supporting stories (38)
  1. A timeline of the assassination attempt on former President Trump
  2. What we know about the 20-year-old suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump
  3. Trump shooter Thomas Crooks might have been battling undiagnosed mental illness: sources
  4. Trump calls widow of Corey Comperatore, the man killed during assassination attempt
  5. What we know about the suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt
  6. ‘Stunning security failures’ led to assassination attempt at Trump rally, House report finds
  7. Secret Service failures before Trump rally shooting were ‘preventable,’ Senate panel finds
  8. Secret Service Director Cheatle resigns in aftermath of Trump rally shooting
  9. Ryan Routh found guilty on all charges in attempted assassination of Donald Trump
  10. Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison for attempted assassination of Trump
  11. Trump rally gunman flew a drone 200 yards from the stage hours before the event, FBI chief testifies
  12. Trump rally gunman looked for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director says
  13. Gunman in Trump assassination attempt saw rally as 'target of opportunity,' FBI official says
  14. FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
  15. A solemn Trump recounts details of assassination attempt: 'I'm not supposed to be here'
  16. The Secret Service acknowledges denying some past requests by Trump’s campaign for tighter security
  17. Law enforcement text messages show concerns were raised before Trump rally shooting
  18. Officers left post to go look for Trump rally gunman before shooting, state police boss says
  19. Acting Secret Service boss says he 'cannot defend' why roof in Trump rally shooting was not secured
  20. Why Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Must Step Down Immediately
  21. House votes to create a task force to investigate the Trump assassination attempt
  22. Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas announces independent review of Trump assassination plot
  23. Secret Service agents on leave over Trump assassination attempt: reports
  24. 6 Secret Service agents suspended after Trump rally assassination attempt nearly a year ago
  25. Suspect in apparent assassination attempt of Trump charged in federal court - Boston News, Weather, Sports
  26. Feds: Man accused in apparent assassination attempt wrote note indicating he intended to kill Trump
  27. Ryan Routh is charged with attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump
  28. Man charged with attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida pleads not guilty
  29. Florida will launch criminal probe into apparent assassination attempt of Trump, governor says
  30. Florida brings charges against a man jailed on federal counts of trying to assassinate Trump
  31. Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump can represent himself at trial, judge says - Boston News, Weather, Sports
  32. Panel looking into Trump assassination attempt says Secret Service needs ‘fundamental reform’
  33. Senate unanimously passes bill guaranteeing same level of Secret Service protection for Trump, Biden and Harris
  34. Trump speaks from behind bulletproof glass at 1st outdoor rally since assassination attempt
  35. Trump returns to Pennsylvania for a rally at the site of assassination attempt
  36. Senate panel faults Secret Service over Trump shooting attempt
  37. Trump claims Butler assassination attempt was a 'Democrat Plot' without showing evidence
  38. Man who was shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 120 recorded updates

October 2026

  1. Trump’s attempted assassin sent mysterious texts about 3D printer leading up to Butler, Pa. shootingHeadline from End Time Headlines · 3 outlets
  2. Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks texted mystery persons about his 3D printer and ‘gifts’Headline from New York Post · 3 outlets

September 2026

  1. Man who was shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has diedHeadline from MyNorthwest · 52 outlets
  2. Trump claims Butler assassination attempt was a 'Democrat Plot' without showing evidenceHeadline from 6ABC Philadelphia · 9 outlets
  3. Chilling new details about Trump shooter Thomas Crooks revealed in bombshell FBI docs: emotionless since birthHeadline from New York Post · 7 outlets

July 2026

  1. Watchdog faults Secret Service for missing 102 radio calls during 2024 Trump shootingHeadline from Hawaiitribune Herald · 11 outlets

February 2026

  1. Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison for attempted assassination of TrumpHeadline from Fox7 Austin · 21 outlets

September 2025

  1. Man representing himself against charges of trying to kill Trump to give closing argumentHeadline from The Boston Globe · 8 outlets
  2. Ryan Routh found guilty on all charges in attempted assassination of Donald TrumpHeadline from NPR · 31 outlets
  3. Man charged with attempted assassination of Trump rests own caseHeadline from Delaware Public Media · 8 outlets
  4. Ryan Routh trial for Trump assassination attempt beginsHeadline from WMUR · 12 outlets

July 2025

  1. Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump can represent himself at trial, judge says - Boston News, Weather, SportsHeadline from WHDH Boston · 12 outlets
  2. One year after Trump assassination attempt, changes at Secret Service but questions remainHeadline from Los Angeles Times · 12 outlets
  3. 6 Secret Service agents suspended after Trump rally assassination attempt nearly a year agoHeadline from Fox10 Phoenix · 25 outlets
  4. Senate panel faults Secret Service over Trump shooting attemptHeadline from Roll Call · 11 outlets
  5. Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump wants to represent himself in Florida caseHeadline from Bangor Daily News · 6 outlets
  6. Butler assassination attempt proved to be turning point for TrumpHeadline from The Hill · 8 outlets

April 2025

  1. Florida brings charges against a man jailed on federal counts of trying to assassinate TrumpHeadline from Bangor Daily News · 7 outlets

December 2024

  1. Trial of man accused in Trump assassination attempt in Florida pushed back to SeptemberHeadline from ABC 11 Raleigh · 16 outlets
  2. Florida pursues charge against suspect in Trump assassination attempt for a crash after his arrestHeadline from Los Angeles Times · 9 outlets
  3. Attorneys for man accused in Trump assassination attempt seek lengthy trial delayHeadline from Waco Tribune-Herald · 6 outlets
  4. Secret Service chief and Trump assassination task force member get into screaming match at final hearingHeadline from NBC News · 5 outlets
  5. Secret Service director vows overhaul as Congress presses him on Trump assassination attemptHeadline from The Columbian · 10 outlets

October 2024

  1. Trump appointed judge Aileen Cannon refuses to recuse from attempted assassination caseHeadline from NBC Los Angeles · 7 outlets
  2. ‘Stunning security failures’ led to assassination attempt at Trump rally, House report findsHeadline from The Boston Globe · 12 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →