Photo of Donald Trump post-rally raises questions about missing ear bandage
In a surprising turn of events, Pete Souza, the renowned former White House photographer known for his work during President Barack Obama's administration, has deactivated his account on social platform X (formerly Twitter) following a controversial post about former US President Donald Trump's ear injury.
The post, which sparked criticism and accusations of promoting a conspiracy theory, questioned the extent of Trump's wound from the 13 July 2024 rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. The photo shared by Souza showed Trump's ear unbandaged and unscathed, contrary to Trump being seen wearing a bandage over his right ear following the shooting.
The controversy led to widespread speculation, with some people claiming the photo was taken at a different time. To support his claim, Souza shared another photo from New York Times photographer Doug Mills, who is one of Trump's favourite photographers and has publicly called him 'my genius photographer.'
However, the post also exposed Mills to hateful messages, prompting Souza to express concern. The backlash was so intense that Souza eventually decided to deactivate his X account. Contrary to some users' suggestions, he was not removed from the platform by X owner Elon Musk.
The incident led to the creation of an X hashtag, #FreePeteSouza, in response. Despite the controversy, it's unclear at this time what the current status of Souza's social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or others is.
It's important to note that the FBI has confirmed that Trump was grazed by a bullet, not shrapnel or glass, during the shooting. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, left one person dead and wounded three others, including Trump.
As the situation develops, it's crucial to maintain a factual approach and avoid spreading unverified information. Souza's controversial post has certainly sparked debate, but the focus should remain on the facts and the safety of those involved in the incident.
Social media has become a platform for pop-culture discussions, with celebrities like Pete Souza often sharing content that reflects entertainment and contemporary society. However, the recent controversy surrounding Souza's post about former President Donald Trump's ear injury has raised concerns about the spread of conspiracy theories on social media.
