A series of unverified rumors alleging that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was involved in the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, have gained traction on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). These claims, stemming from a self-identified federal whistleblower, have sparked heated discussions online, but no credible evidence has been presented to support them, and official investigations have not corroborated the allegations.
The assassination attempt, which occurred during a Trump campaign rally, resulted in Trump being grazed by a bullet, the death of rally attendee Corey Comperatore, and injuries to two others. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene. The incident has been extensively investigated by federal and state authorities, with no evidence emerging to suggest involvement by Governor Shapiro or other state officials.
Origins of the Rumors
The rumors appear to have originated from a criminal complaint filed on February 7, 2025, by Hadassah Feinberg, a former Pennsylvania State Police employee, who claims to be a federal whistleblower. Feinberg alleges that Shapiro conspired with state officials to orchestrate the attack as part of a political scheme, citing alleged meetings between Shapiro and President Joe Biden in the weeks leading up to the rally. She further claims that her attempts to report information to authorities were blocked and that former FBI Director Christopher Wray was involved in covering up the case.
Feinberg’s complaint also includes broader allegations of corruption, including claims of election interference in 2020, obstruction of criminal investigations, and financial misconduct involving Ukraine. She asserts that Shapiro’s alleged ties to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and billionaire Alex Soros motivated the governor to participate in a plot to eliminate Trump politically and physically. These claims have been shared widely on X, with posts amplifying the allegations and calling for further investigation.
Official Responses and Investigations
Governor Shapiro’s office has not directly addressed the whistleblower’s claims, but state officials have emphasized that the assassination attempt has been thoroughly investigated by the FBI, Secret Service, and Pennsylvania State Police. The congressional task force investigating the incident, led by Pennsylvania U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, released its final report in December 2024, identifying security failures and communication gaps among law enforcement agencies but finding no evidence of a broader conspiracy involving state officials.
The Pennsylvania State Police and federal authorities have not commented on Feinberg’s specific allegations.
