Social Media Accounts

The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

The internet significantly contributes to the spread of extremist content and helps forge connections between individuals with similar beliefs, often resulting in increased radicalization. This is particularly concerning for young men, who frequently express feelings of being overlooked by society as equal rights for others gain prominence. Thomas Crooks exemplifies this phenomenon. When young people spend excessive time alone or online, they become exposed to ideas they might not otherwise encounter. Coupled with underlying and untreated mental health issues, this creates an environment where many disgruntled young men feel they have nothing to lose.

Thomas Crooks

Who was Thomas Crooks?

Thomas Matthew Crooks (September 20, 2003 – July 13, 2024) was an American man who attempted to assassinate former U.S. president Donald Trump

On July 13, 2024, at a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, Crooks shot at Trump with an AR-15–style rifle from a nearby rooftop while Trump was giving a speech. He hit Trump's ear and killed one attendee while critically injuring two others before being killed by the Secret Service Counter Sniper Team. His motive remains unknown, though the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Classmates and school officials characterized him as quiet, with classmates saying he was often bullied for various reasons, including his quiet demeanor, body odor, and for wearing camouflage hunting outfits and surgical masks to school. According to the school district, detailed records of disciplinary incidents including bullying and threats do not contain any with Crooks playing a part. The school district concludes, "The assailant was known as a quiet, bright young man who generally got along with his teachers and classmates."

What were his political views, and how was his mental state?

In January 2021, he donated $15 to a voter turnout group with a Democratic platform. When he reached the voting age of 18 in September 2021, he registered to vote in Pennsylvania as a member of the Republican Party and remained registered as a Republican until his death.

He had no known criminal record, and no known mental health problems. Crooks had a membership at a local shooting club for at least a year.

On July 12, 2024, Crooks went to a shooting range where he was a member to practice firing. He purchased over 50 rounds of ammunition and a ladder before going to the rally on July 13. He successfully requested the day off from work because he had "something to do", promising his co-workers he would return the next day.

Hours before the shooting, Crooks's parents called the police to report him as missing and expressed concern about his well-being.

Internet History

Prior to the shooting, Crooks searched for images and public appearances of Trump, President Joe Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, as well as for information regarding the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention He also searched the Internet for information on major depressive disorder and the Oxford High School shooting, with authorities finding an arrest photograph of Oxford shooter Ethan Crumbley on his phone

On July 6, the same day he registered for the rally, Crooks searched "how far was Oswald from Kennedy" in reference to former president John F. Kennedy and the gunman who assassinated him. Crooks also made searches for power plants and the attempted assassination of Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico. He used a number of aliases and encrypted communication accounts to buy firearm supplies and bomb-making material.

The Assassination Attempt

On July 13, Crooks attempted to assassinate Donald Trump. He climbed onto a building that was being used by police as a staging area. Text messages from a police sniper indicate that the police were aware of him already 90 minutes before the shooting. Using an AR-15–style rifle that his father had bought legally in 2013 and that was legally transferred to him in 2023, Crooks shot Trump and injured his upper right ear and also shot three adult male audience members; one of them, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was killed. Crooks was then killed by a member of the Secret Service Counter Sniper Team. Bomb-making materials were found inside his vehicle and at his home, and a remote detonator was found on his body.] The FBI identified Crooks as the shooter on July 14.

Here is a video of the police bodycam footage. WARNING - GRAPHIC

Social Media

Crooks also had an account on the alt-right social media platform Gab, where he posted under the username epicMicrowave. (See the screenshots here). He appeared to argue with someone on the site about Biden’s border policies, not necessarily being pro-Biden, but attempting to clear up false information posted by someone else.

Learn More about Gab

Crooks also (allegedly) had a youtube account under the same name, where he posted stick-figure animations that he created based on memes and cartoons (posted 4 years ago). Here is one called "Gun".

Trump and Project 2025