Former President Donald Trump’s rally in Tucson, Arizona on September 12, 2024, resulted in six attendees, who were seated on stage directly behind Trump, reporting mysterious eye injuries. The event took place at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall and attracted over 2,000 participants, despite the 100-degree heat.
One of the affected attendees was Mayra Rodriguez. The anti-abortion activist and former Planned Parenthood director, turned whistleblower, experienced symptoms immediately after the rally. She described a burning sensation in her eyes to News 4 Tucson, which led her to seek emergency medical attention. Hospital staff suggested the symptoms resembled exposure to some sort of harmful substance.
Despite Rodriguez’s vision being nearly impaired the following day, doctors were unable to identify the cause of the symptoms. However, her condition improved gradually in the days following the rally. She told the news station, “It hurts a lot to open my eyes.”
Other attendees seated on the same side of the stage also reported similar experiences. A brother and sister duo spoke of severe eye pain and other alarming symptoms. They described their experiences to reporters, with the sister stating, “My eyes were watering a lot, my nose started running, then I started feeling my face get really flushed, and my neck felt like it was on fire”. Her brother confirmed her account, describing his eyes as “red like hell” and the pain as “unbearable”.
Medical professionals are still puzzled by the situation. Symptoms indicate the possibility of exposure to an irritant, however, a definitive cause remains unidentified. Some speculate environmental factors such as dust, chemicals or UV rays, while others suggest faulty stage equipment or lighting may be to blame. The extreme heat during the event may have also exacerbated the symptoms.
Adding to the mystery, attendees seated on the opposite side of the stage did not report any of these symptoms. The affected group consisted only of those who were seated directly behind the former president.
The Trump campaign acknowledged the incident and stated they are investigating the matter. The Secret Service confirmed that no known threats to Trump were identified during the rally and they were not informed about the reported eye injuries. As of now, no additional information regarding the cause of the injuries has been released.
Rally attendees like Rodriguez and others who were affected continue to seek explanations for their symptoms. The cause remains unknown, but it is hoped that a thorough investigation will provide the answers to the unsettling events that transpired in Tucson.
