On July 18, a social media post began circulating that claimed a firefighter’s jacket seen on stage during former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) had a misspelling, and it wasn’t the jacket of the deceased firefighter, Corey Comperatore.
The post suggested that the name on the jacket was incorrect, indicating that the jacket was not Comperatore’s. This claim spread quickly, causing confusion and concern. However, a thorough fact check reveals that the claim is false.
The Jacket’s True Identity
The post featured an image of Trump on stage at the RNC, standing next to a firefighter’s jacket with the name “Compertore” misspelled. The caption of the post read, “The firefighter gear is fake… And they misspelled his name,” referring to Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter who tragically lost his life in an assassination attempt on Trump on July 13.
Clarifying the Misspelling
According to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania, the jacket with the misspelled name “Compertore” actually belonged to the late firefighter Corey Comperatore. The department clarified that the misspelling on the jacket was not a recent error.
Instead, it occurred several years prior, and Comperatore had chosen not to correct it. The department’s spokesperson confirmed that the misspelling was a longstanding issue and that Comperatore had left it as is, as he did not see a need to make a change.
Trump’s Tribute to Comparator
During Trump’s acceptance speech at the RNC, he took a moment to honor Comparators. He approached a display featuring a firefighter’s helmet and jacket, with the jacket prominently displaying “Compertore.” Despite the misspelling, the tribute was a sincere gesture of respect for the fallen firefighter. Trump’s actions included kissing the helmet that was part of the display.
Photos and Evidence
Several photos taken before Trump’s speech and in the days following the tragic event clearly show the jacket with “Compertore” written on it. The Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department even posted a tribute photo of the jacket on July 14, further corroborating that the misspelling was indeed part of the jacket from the start.
Debunking Other Claims
The false claim about the jacket is just one of several misleading assertions related to the shooting. For example, there have been incorrect claims that a video showed the shooter shouting threats against Republicans, that Trump was seen playing golf after the assassination attempt, and that Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas had denied requests for increased security at the event. USA TODAY has addressed and debunked these claims, providing accurate information to counter misinformation.
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Conclusion
The claim that the misspelled jacket on the RNC stage was not Comperatore’s is false. The jacket with “Compertore” was indeed Comperatore’s, and the misspelling was a result of an earlier error that the firefighter chose not to correct. This misunderstanding highlights the importance of verifying facts before sharing information, especially in sensitive contexts.
