BUTLER, Pa. — Thousands of images and video clips claiming to be from Saturday's Donald Trump campaign rally - in which the candidate and two spectators were wounded and another attendee killed in a shooting - have been circulating on social media. One of the most commented on depicts what appears to be a bullet flying past Trump's head.
Was it one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it photos of a crucial moment in American political history? Or was it doctored? Let's VERIFY.
THE QUESTION
Is the photo showing what appears to be a bullet flying past Trump real?
OUR SOURCES
Photographer Doug Mills
THE ANSWER
Yes, the photograph is genuine.
WHAT WE FOUND
The New York Times on Sunday confirmed the authenticity of the photo, going so far as to post a video interview with staff photographer Doug Mills and a further article about the picture with analysis from former FBI Special Agent Michael Harrigan.
In a video published by the newspaper, Mills says he kept his finger on his camera's shutter button as the scene unfolded. Later, while reviewing his photos, he realized he captured what is believed to be the bullet that clipped Trump's ear.
His camera's exposure time was set at 1/8,000th of a second.
“Given the circumstances, if that’s not showing the bullet’s path through the air, I don’t know what else it would be,” Harrigan said in an article found on HuffPost.
Mills acknowledges the gravity of the snapshot. "It is a moment that is unlike any in my lifetime, my job of covering the White House since 1983," he said.
The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More »