PTSD Diagnosis Following Trump’s Assassination Attempt

CBS News correspondent Scott McFarlane shared in a podcast that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) soon after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.

At a campaign rally, a gunman shot Trump, resulting in casualties and injuries among the crowd. On the Chuck Toddcast, McFarlane discussed how the atmosphere was charged and increasingly dangerous. He remarked on how the crowd turned against the media covering the event.

“What we witnessed was a frightening glimpse of America,” McFarlane told host Chuck Todd, recalling that he was given a PTSD diagnosis within 48 hours following the incident. “I chose to take a bit of time off, not because I had to, but because it was necessary. The crowd’s reactions were intense and emotional.”

McFarlane indicated that he wasn’t alone in feeling this way. Many media members, discussing the event later, expressed concern that Trump would have died if he had not returned from the incident. “Some people in the crowd blamed us, saying we were responsible for what happened. They were really angry,” he explained.

He added, “There was a sense that they were coming for us. The Secret Service had their hands full managing the situation.” McFarlane reflected on the disturbing expressions he saw, saying, “It feels like we’re in a different America now. It’s hard to grasp that some people think the media was behind this.”

The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, targeted Trump from a rooftop about 400 feet away while he was speaking. In a tragic turn, former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed while trying to protect his family during the shooting.

CBS News had not responded to requests for comments related to the incident at the time of this report.