Former MSNBC host Joy Reid has reignited controversy surrounding the July 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, appearing on former colleague Katy Phang’s YouTube channel to question the extent of Trump’s injuries and challenge the official narrative of the Butler, Pennsylvania incident.
During the September 3, 2025 interview, Reid described Trump’s injuries as stemming from an “alleged” assassination attempt, expressing skepticism about the medical documentation surrounding the incident. She criticized mainstream media coverage for failing to demand comprehensive medical records from the former president following the shooting at his Pennsylvania rally.
Reid suggested that Trump had “magical doctors” who claimed he was shot in the ear, noting apparent inconsistencies in his bandaging and recovery. She questioned how Trump’s ear appeared to heal completely, transitioning from wearing what she described as a bandage one day to having no visible injury the next.
Phang, who hosted the YouTube discussion, echoed Reid’s concerns about the lack of investigative records and medical documentation. The conversation focused on what both former MSNBC hosts characterized as insufficient transparency regarding Trump’s condition following the July 13, 2024 shooting incident.
Reid indicated she possessed more information about historical assassination attempts against former Presidents Gerald Ford and William McKinley than about the attempt against Trump. She expressed frustration with what she perceived as mainstream media’s reluctance to pursue detailed medical records or ask probing questions about the incident.
The former MSNBC host had previously raised similar questions immediately following the July 2024 shooting, posting on social media platforms to inquire about the nature of Trump’s injuries. Her initial posts questioned whether Trump was struck by a bullet, glass, or shrapnel, and asked about the positioning of other attendees who were shot during the rally.
Reid’s recent comments come after her February 2025 departure from MSNBC, where her primetime show “The ReidOut” was canceled as part of network restructuring under new president Rebecca Kutler. The cancellation drew mixed reactions, with President Trump celebrating her departure on Truth Social, describing her as a “mentally obnoxious racist” who should have been terminated earlier.
The assassination attempt occurred on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire on the crowd. The incident resulted in injuries to Trump and several attendees, with one rally-goer killed in the shooting.
During her July 2024 coverage, Reid had compared Trump’s handling of the assassination attempt to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis, suggesting both situations presented opportunities for the respective candidates to demonstrate strength. She described Trump as having been given time for what she termed a “photo-op” during an active shooter situation.
The former host’s recent appearance on Phang’s YouTube channel represents her continued criticism of Trump and mainstream media coverage of the former president. Reid argued that journalists have been intimidated into avoiding tough questions about Trump’s health and medical history.
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld responded to Reid’s latest comments during “The Five,” describing her ideas as “bizarre” and criticizing her conspiracy theories about the assassination attempt. Conservative commentators and Trump supporters have consistently pushed back against Reid’s questioning of the incident’s details.
Reid’s departure from MSNBC in February 2025 marked the end of her prominent role in cable news commentary. Her show had been a fixture on the network, known for sharp criticism of Trump and Republican policies. The network has since restructured its primetime lineup with rotating anchors taking over Reid’s former time slot.
The Butler assassination attempt remains under federal investigation, though specific details about Trump’s medical treatment and the extent of his injuries have not been publicly released by law enforcement or medical officials involved in his care.