Following a rally for ex-President Donald Trump in Tucson, Arizona, six supporters who were seated behind Trump on stage have reported unexplained eye injuries.
The event took place on September 12, 2024, at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, attracting over 2,000 attendees in temperatures reaching 100 degrees. Several of these attendees, including Mayra Rodriguez, experienced severe visual impairment the following day.
Rodriguez, a previous director at Planned Parenthood and current anti-abortion activist, started experiencing symptoms shortly after leaving the rally. Rodriguez related to News 4 Tucson, “As soon as we left and we stepped outside, my eyes were burning.” Upon seeking medical attention, Rodriguez was informed by healthcare professionals that her symptoms resembled exposure to a harmful substance.
Rodriguez’s symptoms continued into the next day, severely impairing her vision. She said, “It hurts a lot to open my eyes,” to the local news outlet. Doctors were unable to identify the cause of her condition, but her state improved slightly in the days following the rally.
Other rally attendees who were seated directly behind Trump on the stage’s right side reported similar issues. A sibling pair described severe eye discomfort and other disturbing symptoms. The sister told reporters, “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 concurred, describing his pain as “unbearable” and his eyes as “were red like hell.”
Medical professionals found the situation perplexing. Symptoms indicated irritant exposure, yet no definite cause was determined. Some have suggested potential environmental elements like dust, chemicals or UV exposure, while others pointed to improper stage equipment or lighting. The extreme heat of Tucson on the day of the event could have aggravated the injuries.
Adding to the mystery, rally attendees seated on Trump’s opposite side did not report any such symptoms. The group seated behind the former President were exclusively affected by these unexplained injuries.
Following these reports, the Trump campaign announced it was looking into the matter. However, no further details regarding the cause of the eye injuries have been disclosed. The Secret Service confirmed that there were no known threats to Trump during the rally and they were not informed about the reported injuries.
With no formal explanation yet, victims like Rodriguez and others continue to seek answers. The cause remains unknown, but those affected are hopeful that a comprehensive investigation will uncover what transpired that day in Tucson.