What started as a typical political discussion on CNN quickly spun out of control when a panelist cast doubt on one of the most defining moments in recent U.S. history — the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in July 2024.
The moment escalated fast, and things got messy on live TV.
Touré’s Comment Sparks Outrage
The chaos kicked off when liberal podcaster Touré casually suggested that Trump may not have actually been shot during the now-infamous rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“He supposedly got shot in the ear,” Touré said, sparking immediate gasps and wide-eyed looks from his co-panelists.
“We never heard from his doctors about that.”
The remark was enough to send the discussion off the rails.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings quickly fired back, clearly stunned.
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Did you say supposedly?” he snapped, turning to anchor Abby Phillip for help. “Abby, Abby…”
Abby Phillip Tries to Rein It In
Phillip, caught in the middle of the verbal melee, did her best to maintain control.
As crosstalk swelled across the table, she attempted to quiet things down.
“If y’all stop screaming at the table, maybe I can actually respond,” she said, raising her voice above the shouting.
But it was too late. The panel was already in a full-on shouting match.
“He Was Shot in the Ear!” Panelists Push Back
Conservative radio host Ben Ferguson jumped in with disbelief, echoing Jennings’ outrage. “Supposedly?
That’s where we’re at now?” he said, shaking his head. “Touré, he was shot in the ear.”
Jennings added to the defense: “He had blood on his face! Where did it come from?” he challenged.
“I went to the Republican National Convention — he had a bandage on his ear.”
Touré, however, refused to back down. He doubled down on his skepticism, arguing that the public deserved more transparency.
“But did we hear from the doctors?” he asked again. “Wouldn’t we always hear from his doctors when he gets shot?”
Phillip Tries to Refocus the Conversation
Trying to pivot away from the drama, Phillip reminded the panel of the actual topic — Trump’s recent visible hand injuries and his doctor’s note clarifying his condition.
“This is not really what we’re talking about,” she said, sounding exasperated.
“He is fine. It’s just a function, frankly, of being an older person.”
Eventually, Phillip took a firmer stance and attempted to put the issue to bed: “He was shot in the ear,” she said bluntly.
“We saw the blood. We saw the bandage.”
The Facts Behind the 2024 Trump Rally Attack
Touré’s remarks hit a nerve in part because the July 2024 shooting was one of the most alarming political events in modern times.
During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Michael Thomas Crooks opened fire from a rooftop.
He fired eight shots, killing a bystander, injuring two others, and grazing Trump’s right ear.
The wound, according to former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson, missed Trump’s skull by less than a quarter of an inch.
It caused what he described as “significant bleeding and marked swelling.”
Photos taken moments after the attack showed Trump’s bloodied face and a bandaged ear — images that were instantly shared worldwide and became symbolic to many of his resilience under fire.
A Massive Security Failure
While Trump survived, the aftermath revealed serious lapses in planning and protection.
A Senate investigation released this month described the security efforts that day as fundamentally flawed.
Crooks had fired from a rooftop just 135 meters away — a known risk spot.
Although authorities had considered blocking the view with farm equipment, those plans were never followed through.
Worse, the area wasn’t covered by any security detail.
To make matters even more dangerous, Secret Service agents and local police were operating from two separate command centers, communicating via a chaotic mix of texts, phone calls, radios, and emails.
Requests for additional backup in the days before the rally were reportedly ignored due to staff shortages.
The fallout was swift: Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned, and the agency has since launched a wave of internal reforms.
Crooks Acted Alone — But Left Behind No Clues
Crooks, the shooter, was killed on the spot by a Secret Service sniper.
He left behind no manifesto, no social media trail, and no clear motive.
Authorities say he acted alone, but the mystery surrounding his decision still haunts law enforcement and political observers.
Why Touré’s Words Hit a Nerve
Given all of this — the visible injury, photographic evidence, the official medical statements, and the gravity of the incident — Touré’s use of the word “supposedly” struck a deep chord.
For many Americans, the attempt on Trump’s life wasn’t just a news story; it was a moment that shook the nation.
And on a night when CNN’s panel was meant to focus on Trump’s health and his return to public life, that single word ignited a firestorm that reminded viewers just how raw that memory still is.