Investigation into Donald Trump assassination attempt

Overview

Newly released FBI documents and interview summaries provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley have revealed further details regarding Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.

Investigations into Crooks’ background describe him as a highly intelligent but emotionally withdrawn individual. His father, Matthew Crooks, told investigators that his son was exceptionally stoic from birth, stating, “When Thomas was born he did not scream and he was always quiet from that point on.” While Crooks scored near-perfect on the SAT, records note behavioral shifts during his schooling, including suspected ADHD, talking to himself, and an increasing obsession with firearms and long-range shooting.

Technical details from the investigation show that Crooks utilized digital privacy tools, such as the BraveNet browser and Cyber Ghost VPN, to protect his online activity. He also used the pseudonym ‘Bob Dole’ to purchase rifle parts and tools online via Amazon.

Additionally, lawmakers have raised questions regarding the rapid cremation of Crooks, which was reportedly paid for by an anonymous donor approximately ten days after the shooting. Representative Clay Higgins has questioned the timing of the FBI’s release of the body to the family, expressing concern that the quick disposal of remains could hinder investigations. Records suggest the family may have lacked the financial means for funeral costs, noting that his father was unemployed and his mother was on leave from work at the time.

Entities

Thomas Matthew Crooks · FBI · Chuck Grassley · Secret Service · Donald Trump

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks was exceptionally quiet and showed little emotion from birth. pulptastic.com · matzav.com · dailycaller.com · www.theblaze.com · www.dailymail.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Rep. Clay Higgins criticized the FBI for releasing Crooks' body for cremation only 10 days after the shooting. internewscast.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · dailycaller.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com
[● 3 SOURCES] An anonymous donor paid for the cremation of Thomas Crooks. internewscast.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · dailycaller.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks used the pseudonym ‘Bob Dole’ to purchase rifle components and tools online. pulptastic.com · nypost.com · thepatriotchronicles.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks occasionally misbehaved in elementary school due to boredom. matzav.com · www.theblaze.com · www.dailymail.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks used Cyber Ghost VPN and BraveNet Browser to obscure his online activity. pulptastic.com · thepatriotchronicles.com · nypost.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Thomas Crooks scored between 1400 and 1500 on the SAT. www.theblaze.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Thomas Crooks practiced a 100-yard shot the day before the assassination attempt. www.nbcnews.com

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 19 sources
Thomas Crooks: New records reveal pseudonym use and anonymous cremation donor
New federal records reveal Thomas Crooks used the pseudonym ‘Bob Dole’ and VPNs to hide his activities before the Butler shooting. An anonymous donor also paid for his rapid cremation.
1 day ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
FBI documents reveal details on Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks
Newly released FBI documents reveal details about the background of Thomas Matthew Crooks, including his father's descriptions of his stoic and dispassionate nature prior to the July 2024 assassination attempt.

Sources

100percentfedup.com · 24sata.hr · dailycaller.com · dailymail.co.uk · ibtimes.co.uk · info.sk · internewscast.com · joemiller.us · justthenews.com · jutarnji.hr · matzav.com · nap.ba · nbcnews.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · nypost.com · pulptastic.com · theblaze.com · thepatriotchronicles.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · wltreport.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history