Carlson says Trump halted Butler probe, Bongino denies

A new allegation has surfaced regarding the investigation into the 2024 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, with commentator Tucker Carlson claiming that Trump personally ordered the inquiry shut down. The claim, which Carlson says originated from a private conversation with former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, directly contradicts the official conclusions of the federal investigation.

Carlson made the allegation during a June 11 interview, stating that Bongino told him Trump halted the investigation into the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to Carlson, the conversation occurred in December, during which Bongino became hysterical and terrified. Carlson claimed Bongino ultimately told him to take the matter up with Trump, whom he identified as the one who shut down the investigation. Carlson said he possesses text exchanges from the conversation.

Dan Bongino, a longtime Trump ally who served as FBI deputy director during Trump's second term and left the bureau in January 2026, has publicly denied Carlson's account. In a response on his own show, Bongino called the claims "totally, completely, made up" and labeled Carlson a liar.