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Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
The Unraveling of the Man Who Almost Killed Trump
Steve Eder, Tawnell D. Hobbs* Thomas Crooks, 20, was a nerdy engineering student on the dean's list. He stockpiled explosive materials for months before his attack on Donald Trump, as his mental health eroded. Crooks was acting strangely. Sometimes he danced around his bedroom late into the night. Other times, he talked to himself with his hands waving unusual behaviors intensified last summer, after he graduated with high honors from a community college. He also visited a shooting range, grew out his thin brown hair and searched online for 'major depressive disorder' and 'depression crisis.' His father noticed the shift — mental health problems ran in the family. On the afternoon of July 13, Crooks told his parents he was heading to the range and left home with a rifle. Hours later, he mounted a roof at a presidential campaign rally in western Pennsylvania and tried to assassinate Donald Trump. A New York Times examination of the last years of the young man's life found that he went through a gradual and largely hidden transformation, from a meek engineering student critical of political polarization to a focused killer who tried to build bombs. For months he operated in secret, using aliases and encrypted networks, all while showing hints of a mental illness that may have caused his mind to unravel to an extent not previously reported. Dark Path Crooks followed his dark path with seemingly little notice from those closest to him. He stockpiled explosive materials in the small house he shared with his parents in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Investigators later found a crude homemade bomb inside his bedroom, not far from where his parents slept. Before his deadly assault, Thomas Crooks's only record of trouble was a lunch detention in middle school for chewing gum. In high school, he earned a top score on the SAT — 1530 out of a possible 1600 — and received perfect marks on three Advanced Placement exams, according to his academic records. He did not socialize much, but came out of his shell in a technology program in which he built computers. His teacher, Xavier Harmon, nicknamed him 'Muscles' — an ironic nod to his slight frame — which made him laugh. One high school classmate said Crooks enjoyed talking about the economy and cryptocurrencies, encouraging others to invest. On the rare occasions when the conversation turned to politics, he seemed to be in the middle of the road. No Political Affiliation On President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s inauguration day in January 2021, Crooks donated $15 to a committee backing Democrats. But when he turned 18 that fall, he registered as a Republican. His family's political affiliations were as diverse as the swing state they lived in: His older sister, Katherine, and his father were registered as Libertarians, and his mother was a Democrat. In April 2023, Crooks showed a glimpse of his frustration with American politics. In an essay arguing for ranked-choice voting, he lamented 'divisive and incendiary campaigns which are pulling the country apart.' 'As we move closer to the 2024 elections we should consider carefully the means by which we elect our officials,' Crooks wrote. 'We need an election system that promotes kindness and cooperation instead of division and anger.' Around the time he wrote the essay, he began using an alias to buy from online firearms vendors, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He would make at least 25 gun-related purchases before the fateful rally. Final Preparations On Dec. 6, 2023, about seven months before the shooting, he rapidly cycled through about a dozen news websites, including CNN, The New York Times and Fox News, before visiting the Trump administration's archives, the logs show. Minutes later, he visited seven gun websites, including one focused on the AR-15, similar to the rifle he would use in the attack. Later that day, he paid a visit to the shooting range. Interviews with his teachers, friends and co-workers suggest that many people who interacted with him regularly did not know he was troubled, let alone capable of premeditated murder. His father noticed his mental health declining in the year before the shooting, and particularly in the months after graduation. He later told investigators that he had seen his son talking to himself and dancing around his bedroom late at night, and that his family had a history of mental health and addiction issues, according to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police, parts of which were shared with The New York Times. About a week before the shooting, Crooks's internet searches became especially focused, the FBI said. In the weeks after the shooting, the FBI released preliminary findings based on details gleaned from interviews and Crooks's devices suggesting that he had been planning an attack for over a year. The New York Times
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Steelers respond to fans after QB Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally
Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph's recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team. Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event near Pittsburgh on Friday. Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization." "We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong," read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team." Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts. "There's backlash every day," he said. "You look on social media, there's constant ... that's the nature of social media. That's why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course." Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7% of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers and Tennessee Titans. Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and a first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions and Steelers.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Steelers email fans after Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally
June 4 - Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph's recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team. Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event Friday near Pittsburgh. Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization." "We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong," read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team." Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts. "There's backlash every day," he said. "You look on social media, there's constant ... that's the nature of social media. That's why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course." Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers (2019-21, 2023) and Tennessee Titans (2024). Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions (2016-20) and Steelers (2021-present). --Field Level Media
New York Post
6 days ago
- General
- New York Post
How Steelers responded to fans upset by Mason Rudolph attending Trump rally
The Steelers responded to angry fans after the team received complaints about quarterback Mason Rudolph and special teams captain Miles Killebrew attending a rally held by President Donald Trump in West Mifflin, Penn., last week. The appearance led to a swift reaction from fans and season ticket holders, and prompted the organization to send an email explaining that players, both former and current, 'make their own individual decisions,' the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Trump had been in Pennsylvania for a rally at the U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, and former Steelers great Rocky Bleier also joined the trio on stage. Advertisement Mason Rudolph speaking alongside President Trump at a May 2025 event. AP 'We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong,' the email said. 'We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. 'Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.' Advertisement Despite the Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, being strong Democratic supporters, several former Steelers players have appeared at rallies for the President. In October, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell were on hand at a Trump Rally in Latrobe, Penn. Bleier called Trump a 'Hall of Fame President' when he presented him with a custom No. 47 jersey during Friday's rally and declared him an 'honorary Steeler.' Advertisement President Trump holds a steelers jersey at a May 2025 event. AP Killebrew said on stage, 'God bless you, President Trump,' when invited to speak by the President. Trump invited all three Steelers to the stage and predicted Rudolph would be 'the guy' for Pittsburgh while the team waits for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pittsburgh Steelers speak out after players spark fan meltdown at Donald Trump rally
The Steelers were forced to write to angry fans who complained after Pittsburgh players and legends turned up at a Donald Trump rally. The president spoke at the US Steel plant in Pennsylvania on Friday, where he was joined on stage by quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew, as well as former running back Rocky Bleier. Bleier, who helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls during in the 1970s, presented Trump with a personalized No 47 jersey. He also branded the president an 'honorary Steeler' and a 'Hall of Fame president'. It did not go down well with some Steelers fans, who complained to the NFL team. And Pittsburgh responded by emailing those supporters, insisting the views of Rudolph and Co do not necessarily reflect those of the franchise. 'We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong,' the letter said, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 'We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. 'Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. 'Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.' Both Rudolph and Killebrew spoke out in the wake of the fan backlash, with the quarterback insisting: 'That's the nature of social media... that's the nature of why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course.' Killebrew was also 'unapologetic' about appearing alongside Trump. He said, per the Post-Gazette: 'I got the chance to meet the sitting U.S. president. I'm not apologetic about that. Killebrew added: 'I'll be able to sit down with my kids when they're learning about the president and say: "Hey, dad met that guy." For anybody who thinks that's a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn't care less.' Both players spoke at the rally, with Killebrew telling the crowd: 'How about this president of ours, huh? Just wanted to say God bless you, President Trump, and God bless you, Pittsburgh. Thank you.' He later added on social media: 'Excited for the Billions of dollars coming for the production of US Steel right here in Pennsylvania... Hard working Steel workers make me proud to be called a Steeler.' The Steelers are owned by the Rooney family. Late chairman Dan Rooney was a lifelong Republican until he was appointed US Ambassador to Ireland by Barack Obama. Back in October, Trump headed to Acrisure Stadium to watch the Steelers face the Jets. He was greeted by chants of 'U-S-A', while a supporter invaded the field holding a pro-Trump and anti-Kamala Harris sign. On Friday, Trump heaped praise on both Rudolph and Killebrew, calling the safety a 'killer' and tipping Rudolph to be the Steelers' quarterback. 'I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,' Trump said. 'I think he's going to get a big shot. He's tall. He's handsome. He's got a great arm. And I have a feeling he's gonna be the guy.' Ahead of last year's election, former Steelers players Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell attended a rally to endorse Trump.
