Sport3 min(s) read
Published 10:11 26 Mar 2026 GMT
WWE's Jesse Ventura claims key detail proves Donald Trump's assassination attempt was fake
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Jesse Ventura, the former WWE wrestler and ex-governor of Minnesota, questioned a major aspect of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, even suggesting in an interview with Piers Morgan that it might have been “fake.”
Ventura has long been associated with conspiracy theories (he even hosted a show called Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura), but his remarks still caught journalist-presenter Morgan off guard. During the discussion, he described Trump’s near-death experience as a “blade job”.
Ventura sparks controversy
In wrestling, a “blade job” refers to when a performer deliberately cuts themselves, usually with a blade, to create the appearance of being seriously injured and add drama to a match.
While this is purely for entertainment in WWE, Ventura implied the same idea could apply to the real-life shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
At that rally, Trump was addressing supporters when a bullet grazed his ear as he turned his head toward a chart on stage. The gunfire triggered an immediate response from the Secret Service, and Trump quickly ducked behind the lectern. He later appeared in Wisconsin wearing a bandage on his ear.
On Piers Morgan Uncensored, Morgan pointed out how Trump “got back up” and seemed defiant after the incident. Ventura dismissed that portrayal, replying: “Oh yeah right, right, right, you ever heard of a blade job?”
When asked directly if he believed the assassination attempt was staged, Ventura responded: “I don’t know, where’s his scar today?”
His comments mirror other conspiracy theories that circulated online after the shooting, including claims that the attack was staged or that Trump used a “blood pill” to simulate injury—none of which have been substantiated.
Morgan pushed back by noting that a former volunteer fire chief who was near Trump at the rally died as a result of the shooting.
Ventura reacted skeptically, saying: “I don’t know, come on Piers, you’re going to tell me this guy’s a big hero now?”
When Morgan said he believed the man was “on that day,” Ventura replied sharply: “Then he accomplished what he wanted out of you guys.”
When asked what he would say to Trump directly, Ventura said he would rather not speak to him, adding: “He has no courage. He never has. There’s always one guy who will start the fight, and then hold your coat. That’s Donald Trump.”
Ventura's comments prompt social media debate
Following the Pennsylvania incident, a wave of misinformation spread across social media. One altered image, shared on platforms like Threads and X, appeared to show Secret Service agents smiling, with captions suggesting the event was staged.
However, fact-checks by outlets such as the BBC and Reuters confirmed the original Associated Press photo did not show them smiling.
Trump himself has described the moment, saying the bullet hit the upper part of his ear. He recalled that he “knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”