Story perspectives

Attempted Trump Dinner Shooting Raises Favorability to 40%

4/28/2026

Left

Trump Shooting Attempt

Analysts warn the thwarted shooting could be portrayed as a political boon for President Donald Trump, potentially amplifying his agenda.
An armed individual attempted to shoot President Donald Trump at the Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., but was arrested.
The recovered manifesto labeled President Donald Trump a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor,” revealing personal grievance.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll showed Trump’s favorability at 40 percent after a shooting, a four-year high.

Right

Cole Allen Attempt

The shooter, a self-described hardcore left-winger, mailed a 1,000-word anti-Trump manifesto to his family minutes before the dinner attack.
Cole Allen, 31, was arrested for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.
X and Bluesky users claimed the shooting was staged to boost President Donald Trump's approval.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the charges self-evident and said the probe will expand.

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Trump Shooting Attempt

Analysts warn the thwarted shooting could be portrayed as a political boon for President Donald Trump, potentially amplifying his agenda.
An armed individual attempted to shoot President Donald Trump at the Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., but was arrested.
The recovered manifesto labeled President Donald Trump a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor,” revealing personal grievance.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll showed Trump’s favorability at 40 percent after a shooting, a four-year high.

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