[rdcbn1]

That is probably the bullet trace from bullet passing by after grazing him.

Bullet trace comes from the atmospheric disturbance in the bullet wake caused by the shock wave of a super sonic bullet

Under the right conditions you can visually follow the path of a bullet as it flies down range

[dragnet2]

If it’s a legitimate real image, it could have been caught in the middle of a frame.

[goodnesswins]

Don’t see any damage from bullet grazing him, tho...

[verum ago]

That is probably the bullet trace from bullet passing by after grazing him.

Bullet trace is the refractive distortion from the air density shift across the shockwave of a supersonic bullet. It's an ever-broadening cone behind the bullet. It's a distortion of the background- in this case since the background is basically uniform blue it would be a minute shift in the sky hue itself. It's also far larger than the bullet itself. It's also generally virtually invisible from the side; there's a reason you only see it from behind in videos (it stacks up on itself over many feet from that angle). It takes a special technique and highly controlled circumstances / lighting to catch it from the side (Schlieren photography).

What's pictured in the photo is the motion-blurred bullet itself. I have no problem believing this photo is legit; I've seen airgun pellets, .22 lr and a couple .45 auto bullets in flight, and a camera has a way lot better 'shutter time' than my eye.

You can even discern the reddish color of the copper jacket. It's a hell of a photo...

[Does so]

“Under the right conditions you can visually follow the path of a bullet as it flies down range”
^

‘Seen it myself.

Sunrise at the range, standing behind the shooter. You can even tell the color of the bullet’s base! (This doesn’t necessarily apply to supersonic rounds—but it could).

The trail appears red in color. I’d sure like to examine Trump’s red hat!

[sit-rep]

foggy or hazy mornings! I was always amazed at how much of a visible arc thats created!