It has an AP watermark on it. I tend to believe it as real, since they fact check. Miracle Ear shows no stitches, or even a mark that would probably be red at this point of the healing process, if there were something to heal. The worst damage was probably when he got some of his hair in the bandage when he pulled it off after a performance. Still no clear evidence one way or the other, but kind of looks like a professional wrestling type injury to me.
I don't know and really don't care but I have seen public pictures of him from that day on with no bandage and a perfectly healed ear. He might as well have cut himself shaving.
It still doesn't temper the fact that a shooter was able to get into position at a political rally under Secret Services' watch. That is the important thing here and needs to not happen ever again..
That guy hasn't told the truth since he crawled out of his mother's womb and he's not going to start now. If a high powered rifle round even so much as nicked him, he'd sill be at Walter Reed today..