Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
More Info
I would like to contribute
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (2) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (2)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/socialmedia3/dd55caa1d27710286c5817da62931314.jpeg)
Social Media
stated on July 14, 2024 in a July 14, 2024, post:
A photo from viral social media posts shows Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (4) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (4)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/politifact/rulings/tom_ruling_pof.png)
- Elections
- Social Media
By Kwasi Gyamfi AsieduJuly 14, 2024
Read in Español
If Your Time is short
- An unnamed man falsely claimed responsibility for the attempted assassination.
- He posted a photo and a video of himself saying he was the shooter at the rally.
- The posts came hours after police and local officials confirmed the real shooting suspect was dead.
See the sources for this fact-check
Do these images show Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man named by the FBI as the suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump?
Social media posts quickly claimed to reveal the portrait of the suspect who authorities say shot and killed one person, injured former President Donald Trump and critically injured two others at the candidate’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania July 13.
The posts seen on X and Instagram show the side profile of a long-haired blond man wearing a blue shirt and eyeglasses.
The man can be seen in a video claiming responsibility for the attack. "My name is Thomas Matthew Crooks," he said. "I hate Republicans, I hate Trump and guess what, you got the wrong guy."
The person in the video is not Crooks.
Featured Fact-check
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (7) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (7)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/logo-black/72988380e8c8bd188dc360d11552e4a0.jpg)
X posts
stated on June 27, 2024 in an X post
“CNN will implement a 1-2 minute delay for tonight’s presidential debate instead of the standard 7-second delay, potentially allowing time to edit parts of the broadcast.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (9) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (9)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/politifact/rulings/meter-false.jpg)
These posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
U.S. Secret Service agents killed the suspected shooter, according to the agency’s July 13 press statement. Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger also confirmed the shooting suspect’s death.
The photos and video also surfaced online several hours after officials confirmed the real shooting suspect was dead.
We rate the claim that the viral social media images of a long-haired blonde man wearing a blue shirt and eyeglasses as the shooter at Trump’s rally Pants on Fire.
Read About Our Process
The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter
Our Sources
ABC News, Trump rushed off stage as possible shots heard at rally; shooter dead, DA says, Jul. 13, 2024
The Guardian, FBI names suspect, 20, as ‘subject involved’ in Trump rally shooting, Jul. 14, 2024
X post, Anthony Guglielmi, Jul. 13, 2024
X post, Shayan Sardarizadeh, Jul. 14, 2024
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (13) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (13)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/Facebook_Logo_2019/caa2aa7d5b5be4d8c1a06fa4f06aff45.jpg)
Facebook posts
stated on July 19, 2024 in a post:
Images show FBI assistant director Janeen DiGuiseppi seated behind former President Donald Trump during his assassination attempt.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (15) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (15)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (17) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (17)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/logo-black/72988380e8c8bd188dc360d11552e4a0.jpg)
X posts
stated on July 19, 2024 in a post:
Bill Gates is responsible for July 19 global tech outage.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (19) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (19)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (21) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (21)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/threads-logo-black-01/438dbf066033f99de07598cbcc77ddcb.jpg)
Threads posts
stated on July 13, 2024 in a post:
The Secret Service staged the July 13 shooting at Trump rally.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (25) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (25)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/logo-black/72988380e8c8bd188dc360d11552e4a0.jpg)
X posts
stated on July 15, 2024 in a video:
Video shows Donald Trump sleeping at the Republican National Convention’s first night.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (27) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (27)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (29) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (29)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/socialmedia3/dd55caa1d27710286c5817da62931314.jpeg)
Social Media
stated on July 14, 2024 in una publicación en redes sociales:
Estas imágenes muestran a Thomas Matthew Crooks, el sospechoso del tiroteo en el mitin de Donald Trump.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (31) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (31)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-pants-fire.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (33) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (33)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/socialmedia3/dd55caa1d27710286c5817da62931314.jpeg)
Social Media
stated on July 14, 2024 in a July 14, 2024, post:
A photo from viral social media posts shows Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (35) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (35)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-pants-fire.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (37) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (37)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/dl_resized/87d1efe2aaa99f61b3eaba596a10c8b2.jpg)
D.L. Hughley
stated on July 7, 2024 in a post:
“Anyone on Social Security or Disability should know, Project 2025 totally eliminatesall benefits.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (39) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (39)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (41) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (41)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/threads-logo-black-01/438dbf066033f99de07598cbcc77ddcb.jpg)
Threads posts
stated on July 7, 2024 in a post:
“The New York Times has closed its main Threads account.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (43) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (43)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (45) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (45)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/Facebook_Logo_2019/caa2aa7d5b5be4d8c1a06fa4f06aff45.jpg)
Facebook posts
stated on June 10, 2024 in a video:
The U.S. House “has authorized a new $1,000 stimulus card program to support those in need.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (47) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (47)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (49) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (49)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/threads-logo-black-01/438dbf066033f99de07598cbcc77ddcb.jpg)
Threads posts
stated on June 18, 2024 in a post:
Says linguist Noam Chomsky died, as of June 18, 2024.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (51) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (51)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (53) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (53)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/Facebook_Logo_2019/caa2aa7d5b5be4d8c1a06fa4f06aff45.jpg)
Facebook posts
stated on June 18, 2024 in una publicación en Facebook:
"Fotografía tomada en el 2496 A.C. durante la construcción de las pirámides en Egipto”.
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (55) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (55)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-pants-fire.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (57) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (57)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/Facebook_Logo_2019/caa2aa7d5b5be4d8c1a06fa4f06aff45.jpg)
Facebook posts
stated on June 12, 2024 in a photo:
“Photo shows Egyptian pyramids being constructed in 2549 BC”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (59) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (59)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-pants-fire.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (61) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (61)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/768px-Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg)
Instagram posts
stated on June 14, 2024 in a photo:
“The Biden campaign has demanded that Joe Biden not have to stand during the presidential debate.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (63) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (63)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (65) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (65)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/768px-Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg)
Instagram posts
stated on June 8, 2024 in a video:
“Biden's sister is married to Stephen Owens, who owns Dominion Voting Systems.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (67) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (67)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (69) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (69)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/CACHE/images/politifact/mugs/Facebook_Logo_2019/caa2aa7d5b5be4d8c1a06fa4f06aff45.jpg)
Facebook posts
stated on May 20, 2024 in a post:
“Every American over 25 is now entitled to get a prepaid reward card up to $500 to use for groceries and everyday expenses.”
![No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (71) No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (71)](https://i0.wp.com/static.politifact.com/img/meter-false.jpg)
No, this photo is not of Trump rally shooting suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks
Threads posts
stated on July 23, 2024 in a post:
Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, posted on X that Vice President Kamala Harris was “absolutely a DEI hire.”
Viral image
stated on July 18, 2024 in a Threads post:
Photo shows “Thomas Matthew Crooks wearing a quipá.”
X posts
stated on July 22, 2024 in a post on X:
The death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, six days after the Trump rally shooting was linked to her “oversight of the Secret Service.”
Threads posts
stated on July 23, 2024 in a Threads post:
“Trump has announced he won’t debate Kamala Harris.”
Facebook posts
stated on July 17, 2024 in a Facebook post.:
Starbucks was an “official sponsor of the RNC.”
X posts
stated on July 21, 2024 in una publicación en X:
"Kamala Harris no es elegible para postularse para la presidencia. Ninguno de sus padres eran ciudadanos estadounidenses natos cuando ella nació".
Viral image
stated on July 20, 2024 in an Instagram post:
“Michelle Obama’s mother dies, leaves inheritance to ‘my son Michael.’”
Kamala Harris
stated on July 18, 2024 in a campaign event:
Project 2025 calls for restricting “access to IVF and contraception.”
Republican National Committee
stated on July 22, 2024 in a video:
President Joe Biden appointed "Kamala Harris to be his border czar to deal with illegal immigration … Harris was put in charge of stopping illegal immigration."
Facebook posts
stated on July 19, 2024 in a post:
Images show FBI assistant director Janeen DiGuiseppi seated behind former President Donald Trump during his assassination attempt.
Load more
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.
Sign me up