Letter With White Powder Sent To Donald Trump Jr

Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of former President Donald Trump, has received a letter that might have been intended as a deadly attack. The letter was received on February 26 after being delivered to Donald Trump Jr’s Florida home. He contacted the authorities and there’s an ongoing investigation. Here’s what we know about the scary event.

What Happened With That Envelope?

Donald Trump Jr owns a home in Jupiter, Florida. On Monday, February 26, he opened his mail. When he opened the envelope in question, news reports say that white powder flew out. He became alarmed, which is a natural response. He then contacted the authorities, who responded quickly to investigate the situation and evaluate the threat.

Neighbors and onlookers reported seeing multiple fire trucks outside of Trump’s residence. They also reported seeing several men in hazmat suits. These suits are meant to protect investigators from coming into contact with hazardous materials. The materials in question might be infectious diseases or poisons. Any time someone receives an unidentified substance, these precautions are required.

What Could The White Powder Be?

You’re probably wondering what the white powder in that envelope could be. There are a lot of potential substances that could fit that description. These include benign powders such as talcum powder or confectioner’s sugar. Or it could be something far more sinister and dangerous, such as cocaine, bacteria, poisons, and other harmful substances.

The biggest concern is that the white powder might have been anthrax. There have been other times when criminals have sent anthrax through the mail. There have also been hoaxes where the intention was to make the recipient believe the substance was dangerous. The thought is a frightening one and something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

What Is Anthrax?

If the substance in the envelope were to be anthrax, what would that mean? According to the Centers for Disease Control, anthrax is a “serious infectious disease” caused by bacteria. The name of the bacteria is Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is infectious but not contagious, which means that it can’t be spread from one person to another.

There are two ways that people can become infected with anthrax. The first is if they come into contact with an infected animal or an animal product that’s contaminated. The second is if they receive powder that contains anthrax spores. In either case, it’s dangerous because anthrax can cause serious illness. Symptoms may include fever, headache, lymph swelling, and lesions.

What Did Donald Trump Jr Say About The Letter?

Donald Trump Jr spoke to the right-wing publication The Daily Caller, saying that it has become “a little too commonplace” for incidents targeting people with powder to happen. In the interview, he claimed that the most recent mailing was the second white powder envelope he had received in recent years.

He stated that he believes the event would get more attention from the media if it happened to a prominent Democrat. “Since it’s me, radical haters on the left will largely get a free pass and the media will barely flinch.” It’s worth noting that a search revealed dozens of news reports about the incident, including every major news outlet.

Who Else Has Been Targeted With White Powder In Letters?

The fear that the white powder could be anthrax is not unjustified. After the horrific terror attacks on September 11, 2001, a slew of public officials and media outlets received similar envelopes. These contained anthrax. In total, 5 Americans were killed in the attacks and 17 others became seriously ill. The infected included postal workers, media employees, and government officials.

The events spawned a huge investigation to find the culprits. Ultimately, the FBI task force included 25 to 30 investigators. They conducted more than 10,000 interviews. One scientist who was suspected filed a defamation lawsuit and won. Another, Bruce E. Ivins, took his own life. Ivins was ultimately determined to be the sole culprit in the attacks.

White Powder Hoaxes

White powder letters have been sent at other times, but they didn’t contain anthrax. One notable example happened in 2011. President Barack Obama, members of Congress, and Argentine consulates received letters filled with white power. The substance was later proven to be a form of sugar that posed no harm to the recipients.

In 2023, there was another widespread hoax. This time, it targeted Republican state lawmakers from three states: Kansas, Montana, and Tennessee. These envelopes included threatening notes. The substance in these cases was also identified as sugar. The FBI investigation into these attacks is active and ongoing.

Who Might Want To Target Donald Trump Jr?

You’re probably wondering who might want to attack or frighten Donald Trump Jr. Given how politically divided the United States has become, it’s certainly possible that the sender is a political opponent of Donald Sr. The remarks by Donald Trump Jr show that’s where his suspicions lie, too, but it’s too early to say for sure.

There’s also a possibility that the letter could have been sent by a business rival. The Trump family has a long history of lawsuits and disputes around payment of bills. We can’t rule out the possibility that the letter was sent by someone who was personally or professionally involved with the Trumps. Or it could be political.

Where Might This Investigation Lead?

The question of what the white substance in the letter was has not yet been answered. However, a representative for Donald Trump Jr told the media, “The test results of the substance came up inconclusive on what it was exactly, but officials on the scene do not believe it is deadly.” That must be a relief for the Trump family.

We have no doubt that the investigators will do their best to identify the white powder and track down the culprit. Even if the substance isn’t deadly, it’s still a malicious act to send something that looks like anthrax through the mail. We expect investigators to update the media as the case unfolds.