The FBI has dismissed an allegation from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who suggested the agency “lied” about details surrounding Thomas Crooks—the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump—and specifically misrepresented the extent of his online presence.
Carlson argued that the FBI falsely claimed Crooks had “no online footprint,” and he vowed on Thursday to show what he said were Crooks’ posts and digital accounts. In response, the FBI Rapid Response account on X stated:
“This FBI has never said Thomas Crooks had no online footprint. Ever.”
Why the Dispute Matters
More than a year after Crooks’ attempt on Trump’s life during the 2024 election cycle, the public still knows little about his background. Crooks, 20, fired eight shots at Trump using an AR-15–style rifle from a rooftop near a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
One rally attendee was killed, two others were injured, and a bullet appeared to graze Trump’s ear. Seconds later, Secret Service counter-snipers fatally shot Crooks. The incident exposed significant security failures, and the head of the Secret Service resigned shortly afterward as part of reforms recommended by an independent investigative panel.
Carlson’s Claims on X
Carlson posted a 35-minute video Friday morning that he said included unreleased footage obtained from Crooks’ Google Drive. One clip appeared to show Crooks practicing with a firearm in a room with makeshift targets taped to a wall earlier in 2024.
Carlson asserted that:
- The FBI has attempted to hide Crooks’ digital activity
- His team identified accounts linked to Crooks on platforms such as YouTube, Snapchat, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, Discord, Google Play, Quizlet, Chess.com, and Quora
- These accounts show a “robust online presence” contradicting initial impressions that he left little digital trace
He also said the FBI asked whether Carlson had verified the accounts—something he called puzzling, saying their authenticity was “self-evident.”
A Shift in Agency Messaging?
The FBI Rapid Response account that replied to Carlson appears to be newly established:
- Created November 2025
- First post dated November 13
- Follows and is followed by verified figures, including FBI Director Kash Patel
The account’s message suggested a separation between statements made under the previous administration and the current FBI leadership.
Some users pointed to a past remark from former Deputy Director Paul Abbate in July 2024 as evidence the FBI once suggested Crooks had minimal online activity. However, even that would not contradict the claim that “this” FBI—under new leadership—never made such a statement.
Public Response
On November 13, Carlson wrote on X:
“The FBI told us Thomas Crooks tried to kill Donald Trump last summer but somehow had no online footprint. The FBI lied, and we can prove it because we have his posts. The question is why? Story tomorrow.”
The FBI Rapid Response account countered the next day:
“This FBI has never said Thomas Crooks had no online footprint. Ever.”
