Trump Assailant Sent Cryptic Messages on 3D Printing Before Attack

WHO:

Fox News - Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old, is identified as the would-be assassin of Trump.

TMZ - Crooks is noted to have communicated with an "unknown contact."

WHAT:

TMZ - Crooks clipped President Trump's ear during a 2024 rally.

Fox News - Crooks sent cryptic coded texts and took drone photos of Pittsburgh stadiums before the attack.

TMZ - Crooks allegedly texted about 3D-printed parts a little over a year before the assassination attempt.

NY Post - The FBI found Crooks' communications about his 3D printer and "gifts" to be pertinent to their investigation.

WHERE:

Fox News - The attack occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania.

TMZ - The communications involved references to Pittsburgh stadiums.

WHEN:

TMZ - The communications about 3D-printed parts occurred a little over a year before the assassination attempt.

WHY:

NY Post - The reasons behind Crooks' communications and motivations remain unclear.

HOW:

NY Post - Judicial Watch documents reveal that Crooks sent odd messages including gibberish to unknown contacts.

Fox News - Crooks utilized a 3D printer and sent texts regarding its parts leading up to the attack.

(UPDATED October 3, 2026 20:43 UTC)

During a recent rally, President Trump was reportedly involved in an incident where crooks clipped his ear. Judicial Watch documents have revealed that these individuals sent strange messages, including gibberish, to unknown contacts. This unusual behavior has raised questions about the motives behind their actions.

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(UPDATED October 3, 2026 16:28 UTC)

A 20-year-old named Thomas Matthew Crooks has been identified as the would-be assassin of Trump, having communicated with an unknown contact prior to the attack. Crooks reportedly sent cryptic coded texts and took drone photos of Pittsburgh stadiums, while the FBI discovered his communications about 3D-printed parts to be relevant to their investigation. The attack took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, but the motivations behind Crooks' actions remain unclear.