Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Tucker Carlson Claims FBI Hid Evidence on Trump Shooter Thomas Crooks
Imagine someone tried to hurt a famous person named Donald Trump at a rally.
A young man named Thomas Crooks shot at him, but thankfully, only grazed his ear.
Now, over a year later, a news person named Tucker Carlson says the FBI knows a lot more about why the shooter did it and where he got his ideas than they are telling everyone.
Carlson shared what he says are old messages from the shooter that show he was angry and wrote about wanting to hurt people.
But the FBI says they never claimed the shooter had no messages online and did share some information before.
Carlson thinks the FBI is hiding important clues about the shooter and why he acted, while the FBI insists they aren't hiding anything.
Tucker Carlson claims the FBI is hiding details about the background and motivations of Thomas Crooks, the shooter who targeted Donald Trump.
Carlson alleges Crooks had a significant digital footprint with violent threats that contradict the FBI's early public statements.
The FBI denies ever claiming that Thomas Crooks lacked an online presence, stating they previously disclosed information about his social media activity.
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate had previously testified about discovering a social media account linked to Crooks with over 700 posts containing violent comments.
Carlson accuses the FBI of stonewalling Congress by withholding evidence such as gun range footage and autopsy reports related to Crooks.
- Who
- Tucker Carlson, the FBI, Donald Trump, and Thomas Crooks (the shooter)
- What
- Tucker Carlson is accusing the FBI of withholding information about the background and motivations of Thomas Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump.
- When
- More than a year and a half after the July 13 attack on Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
- Where
- Butler, Pennsylvania
- Why
- Carlson alleges the FBI is intentionally concealing details about Crooks' digital footprint and potential motives, which he claims contradict the bureau's public statements.
Tucker Carlson's Claims
FBI's Response
Thomas Crooks' Digital Footprint
Tucker Carlson's Claims
Carlson alleges the FBI concealed Crooks' social media posts, which he claims show a 'detailed digital trail of violent threats, including calls for assassinations and political violence.' He argues this contradicts the FBI's early portrayal of him.
FBI's Response
The FBI, through its 'Rapid Response' account, insists it 'never said Thomas Crooks had no online footprint. Ever.' They also note that Deputy Director Paul Abbate previously revealed a social media account linked to Crooks with over 700 posts, including violent and antisemitic comments.
FBI's Information Disclosure
Tucker Carlson's Claims
Carlson accuses the FBI of 'stonewalling' Congress by refusing to release specific documents like gun range footage, autopsy reports, and full online records. He questions why the FBI would hide information if there's 'nothing there.'
FBI's Response
The FBI has not directly addressed Carlson's specific accusations of withholding documents from Congress in the provided text, but their general rebuttal implies they have shared relevant information, as indicated by Abbate's Senate testimony.
Crooks' Motivations and Transformation
Tucker Carlson's Claims
Carlson suggests Crooks underwent an 'amazing transformation' around 2020, shifting from supporting Trump and far-right ideas to opposing him, indicating a volatile and troubled individual with expressed desires for violence.
FBI's Response
The FBI's disclosure mentions that the social media posts found (from when Crooks was 15-16) included violent antisemitic and anti-immigration comments that appeared to endorse political violence. They have previously described Crooks as a 'loner with limited social connections.'
- Shooter's Name
- Thomas Crooks
- Incident Location
- Butler, Pennsylvania
- Incident Date
- More than a year and a half before Carlson's podcast
- Target
- Donald Trump
- Outcome for Target
- Bullet grazed ear
- Other Casualties
- One attendee killed, two injured
- Shooter's Fate
- Killed by Secret Service snipers