Podcast Discussion on PTSD Following Trump’s Assassination Attempt

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

At a campaign rally in Butler, a gunman shot Trump, resulting in fatalities and injuries among rally attendees. In the Chuck Toddcast, McFarlane mentioned that the crowd reacted violently towards the media present.

“What we witnessed was a very alarming moment—Americans emerging in a frightening way,” McFarlane explained to host Chuck Todd. “I was diagnosed with PTSD within 48 hours. I felt I needed a break, not just for the trauma but because of the visible consequences of that day.”

He noted that he wasn’t alone; many journalists reported similar feelings after the event. “It was a topic among our group chats a few weeks later—some of us really believed he would be dead if he didn’t return,” he said. “There were dozens in the crowd who turned on us, accusing us of being responsible and threatening violence.”

McFarlane added, “They truly seemed intent on harming us, and honestly, the Secret Service had a larger issue at hand than just keeping us safe. I can’t shake the expressions of the crowd; it’s a memory that haunts me. It’s unfortunate that some people blame the media instead of the shooter.”

The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, fired from a rooftop about 400 feet away as Trump spoke. Tragically, a former volunteer fire chief, Corey Comperatore, lost his life while trying to shield his family during the shooting.

CBS News did not provide an immediate comment to the situation.