Full Breakdown
Trump, O’Donnell clash over shooter’s manifesto after WHCA dinner shooting
4/28/2026, 12:30:14 AM
The Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
On Saturday April 25, 2026, a gunman breached the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner was under way. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. He opened fire on a Secret Service agent, who was protected by a bullet-proof vest, and was subdued after a brief gunfight. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and senior cabinet members were evacuated; no attendees were killed.
Suspect’s Manifesto and Motive Claims
Family members received an emailed “manifesto” minutes before the attack. In it, Allen wrote that “administration officials, they are targets” and listed a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor” whose crimes he would not permit. He described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” cited anti-Christian rhetoric, and complained about “the level of incompetence” of security at the hotel. The document suggests a focus on Trump-administration officials, though it does not name the president directly.
Timeline of Key Events
- April 25 (Saturday): Shooting and evacuation.
- April 26 (Sunday): Trump appears on CBS’s *60 Minutes* with correspondent Norah O’Donnell; O’Donnell reads excerpts from the manifesto.
- April 27 (Monday): Allen is arraigned in federal court on initial charges.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump described the Secret Service response as “fantastic” and said the agent was “in good spirits.” He called the shooter “a sick person” and insisted he was “not a rapist” nor “a pedophile.” Trump urged that the WHCA dinner be rescheduled within 30 days, arguing that “a crazy person” should not be able to cancel the event. A senior White House official praised the Secret Service for “neutralizing the shooter” and announced a meeting with the Department of Homeland Security to review protocols. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed two federal charges—using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer—with additional counts expected. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen intended to target administration officials, though a full motive remains under review.
Criticism & Opposition
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich denounced O’Donnell’s reading of the manifesto as “disgusting and inhumane” demagoguery. Trump repeatedly called O’Donnell a “disgrace” and accused her of “reading crap” that unfairly linked him to the accusations in the document.
Data & Statistics
- Suspect: Cole Allen, 31 years old, teacher and game developer.
- Weapons: shotgun, handgun, multiple knives.
- Charges: at least two counts, with more pending.
- Attendees: approximately 2,600 journalists and officials.
- Injured: one Secret Service agent (vest-protected).
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact motive: some emphasize anti-Christian and anti-Trump rhetoric, others focus on a hierarchy of “targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.” The agent’s health is described both as “good spirits” and as initially refusing hospital care. The total number of forthcoming charges remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people.” — Donald Trump
- “Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.” — Donald Trump
- “I’m not a pedophile.” — Donald Trump
- “disgusting and inhumane” — Newt Gingrich, former House Speaker
- “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.” — Excerpt from Allen’s manifesto (read by Norah O’Donnell)
What’s Next
The White House plans to hold a rescheduled WHCA dinner within the next month, with enhanced perimeter security. Federal prosecutors will file additional charges as the investigation proceeds, and the Secret Service is conducting a standard after-action review of its response.
