Following a rally for former President Donald Trump in Tucson, Arizona, six attendees were reporting unexplained eye injuries that occurred after being seated behind Trump on stage.
The gathering took place on September 12, 2024, at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, attracting more than 2,000 spectators amidst 100-degree temperatures. Among the attendees was Mayra Rodriguez, an anti-abortion activist who says she was left nearly blind the day following the event.
Rodriguez, a former Planned Parenthood director turned whistleblower, developed symptoms shortly after leaving the rally. “As soon as we left and we stepped outside, my eyes were burning,” Rodriguez informed News 4 Tucson. After seeking emergency medical attention, hospital staff suggested potential exposure to a harmful substance. “The emergency room staff, from the triage nurse to the PA [Physicians Assistant], asked, ‘Are you sure you didn’t get sprayed with something? Your symptoms look like you got sprayed with something,'” Rodriguez recalled.
Her symptoms continued into the next day, nearly causing blindness. “It hurts a lot to open my eyes,” she shared with the local news outlet. Although the cause of Rodriguez’s injuries was not identified, her condition improved gradually in the days after the rally.
Similar reports were made by other attendees seated on the stage’s right side, directly behind Trump. A brother and sister described severe eye pain, among other symptoms. “It kept getting worse and worse,” the sister explained to journalists. “My eyes were watering a lot, my nose started running, then I started feeling my face get really flushed, and my neck felt like it was on fire.” Her brother confirmed her account, describing his pain as “unbearable” and stated his eyes “were red like hell.”
The eye injuries left medical professionals perplexed. Although the symptoms indicated exposure to an irritating substance, the exact cause remains undetermined. Some suspect environmental factors such as dust or chemical exposure might have contributed, while others considered the possibility of faulty stage equipment or lighting. The intense heat of Tucson on that day may have also exacerbated the symptoms experienced by those affected.
Adding to the mystery, rally attendees seated on the opposite side of Trump reported no such symptoms. Only the group seated directly behind the former president seemed to be affected by these unusual injuries.
In response to these reports, the Trump campaign released a statement confirming they are investigating the incident. However, no further details regarding the cause of the eye injuries have been disclosed. The Secret Service also confirmed that there were no known threats to Trump during the rally and they had not been informed about the reported injuries.
As official explanations are yet to be provided, those affected like Rodriguez continue their quest for answers. The origin of the symptoms remains unknown, but the victims hope that a comprehensive investigation will eventually shed light on the mysterious incidents in Tucson.