Donald Trump says 'last millisecond' head tilt saved his life

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Donald Trump's life was potentially saved thanks to a slight head tilt that he made at the "last millisecond".



On Saturday (July 13), the 78-year-old former president was the victim of an attempted assassination as he spoke to a crowd at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania.

Roughly 10 minutes into his address, shots could be heard ringing out and Trump was struck by a bullet in the right ear.

Amid the chaos, Secret Service agents were able to bundle Trump to the ground, before the assailant was eventually shot dead by authorities.

As well as Trump being struck in the ear, a male rally-goer was killed as a result of the shooting, with a further two men left critically injured.

After receiving medical attention, Trump has since revealed that his doctor said it was a "miracle" that he survived.

GettyImages-2161333295 (1).jpgDonald Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet. Credit: Anadolu / Getty

Recalling the moment a bullet struck his ear, the former POTUS revealed that - moments before he was hit - he had tilted his head slightly to look at a chart detailing illegal immigration to the United States.

Speaking to Representative Dr. Ronny Jackson of Texas - who has since revealed their conversation to the New York Times - Trump said: "The border patrol saved my life."

Trump reportedly told Dr. Jackson: "If I hadn’t pointed at that chart and turned my head to look at it, that bullet would have hit me right in the head."

Political commentator Collin Rugg has since shared the moment Trump was struck - slowing down the footage to highlight the Republican candidate's head tilt.

"Donald Trump says a last millisecond head tilt likely saved his life as slowed-down footage shows the bullet grazing his ear," Rugg writes on X. "If Trump hadn't moved his head, the bullet would likely have hit the rear of his head, ending his life.

"Trump says he turned his head to look at the illegal immigration statistics that were on the big screen at his rally."


In a subsequent interview with the New York Post, Trump opened up about the "very surreal experience" and surviving the attack.

Trump told The Post: "The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle."

“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” he added. “I’m supposed to be dead.”

“By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” Trump continued.

The FBI has since issued an update amid their investigation into the shooting.

Naming the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, officials say that the gun he used in the shooting was purchased legally, and that his home and vehicle have been searched for further evidence.

In their statement, the FBI adds that although they believe Crooks acted alone, they are not ruling out the possibility of any co-conspirators.

GettyImages-2161922277.jpgCredit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty

"At this time, there are no current public safety concerns," the statement continues.

"The FBI has not identified a motive for the shooter’s actions, but we are working to determine the sequence of events and the shooter’s movements prior to the shooting, collecting and reviewing evidence, conducting interviews, and following up on all leads. We have also obtained the shooter’s telephone for examination."

Featured image credit: Anadolu / Getty