John Cleese Gets Schooled on Wild Trump Assassination Theory
Monty Python vet runs afoul of journalist who heard shots ring out
John Cleese knows everything there is to know about “silly walks.”
More importantly, he’s well versed in the free speech fight of our age.
The Monty Python alum has been making us howl for decades, but his work supporting free expression has made him an an essential voice during the woke era.
Few comedians have his wit and experience on that front. And he hasn’t been shy about using both.
He’s also a late-stage Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferer, and it flared up in dramatic fashion Monday.
Cleese shared an X post that suggested President Trump’s brush with death at a Butler, Pa. rally in 2024 didn’t actually happen as shown.
It was an act, a scripted moment to boost his presidential aspirations. Cleese concurred.
Looks staged https://t.co/aLCRLbVptW
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 12, 2026
That didn’t sit well with Salena Zito.
The Pennsylvania-based journalist was on-site during that fateful rally. She watched as a bullet clipped the former and future president’s ear, a shot heard ’round the world.
More shots rang out that day, including one that took the life of father and husband Corey Comperatore. Two other attendees were struck by the assassin’s bullets but survived.
Zito, a professional journalist, gently schooled Cleese on his claims the tragic shooting was part of a Trumpian conspiracy.
I was 4 feet away. I saw a man die in front of me.
— ZitoSalena (@ZitoSalena) January 12, 2026
Cleese has yet to respond to Zito’s note.