During an interview on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” former President Donald Trump, 78, revealed the scar from an assassination attempt that took place earlier this year. Sitting with Rogan, he showed off a mark just behind his right ear where the bullet had “zicked” past him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Rogan remarked on the healing, saying, “It healed up pretty f—ing good,” while Trump noted that the experience “made him a tougher guy.”
The incident happened when Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired at Trump from a rooftop 130 yards away while the former president addressed a crowd. The bullet grazed Trump’s ear in what he called a “top shot” moment, a near-miss that he said underscores the risks of public office.
Trump and Rogan discuss the public dangers of the presidency
During the interview, Trump referenced the dangers of political leadership, stating, “I do things that don’t necessarily make me so popular. I just do what’s right.” He added that he believes the role makes one a “target,” a reality he hadn’t fully anticipated upon initially running for office.
Rogan, 57, suggested that hostile media portrayals and rhetoric from political rivals contributed to a divisive climate, potentially fueling violent attempts. He noted that comparing Trump to figures like Adolf Hitler only escalates polarization.
The nearly three-hour episode, recorded in Austin, Texas, captured Trump’s account of the experience, with Rogan’s platform drawing extensive viewership.